GLIMPSES on SIGNIFICANT DEVELOPMENTS in the PHILIPPINES
Toronto-Canada
February 22, 2020
Admirably and noticeably lately, the Philippines is moving forward in regards to becoming a developed country in the world given with significant developments especially in the areas of infrastructure building, transportation system and the resulting economic opportunities for the people.
To mention, here are some:
College Degree Opportunity.
Under the "Expanded Tertiary Education Equivalency and Equivalency Program" ( ETEEAP), Filipinos are offered the opportunity to earn now a college diploma by converting their work experience into a Bachelor's degree. ETEEAP opens doors for those who missed a college education and are working in different occupational areas in the government, private, industry and overseas contract service sectors. To earn an academic diploma within one year, an adult student must register and must be a Filipino citizen, a high school graduate, at least 25 years old and with at least 5 years of working experience. The Bachelor's degree will be conferred by the University and the Commission on Higher Education( CHED) and graduates are qualified to write the appropriated government licensure examinations. The mandate to implement the Program is embodied in Executive Order 330 issued by President Fidel V. Ramos on May 10, 1996. Ano pa ang hini-hintay mo kabayan, pumasok ka na ulit sa pamantasan at magkaroon ng magandang kinabukasan.!
Commuter Train Service.
The Philippine National Railways(PNR) started commuter train operations on December 16, 2019, with six brand new diesel multiple unit railcars acquired from Indonesia. The 2 train sets of 3 railcars each are expected to add 18 to 20 more trips per day on its assigned routes. The PNR's Metro Line runs from Tutuban, Manila to FTI (Taguig City) and from Malabon City to FTI ( Taguig City). Malaking ginhawa at tipid ito dahil iwas trapik lalo na sa mga pasaherong papuntang Makati at karatig pook..
A Sin Tax.
First, sweetened beverages were taxed under the Tax Reform for Acceleration and Inclusion( TRAIN) Law's Package 1. Now, the Department of Health is planning to to impose taxes on salted food, like canned sardines, instant noodles, dried fish like daing, tuyo, dilis and patis, toyo and many more. Though they are not a healthy diet , but these food products are the cheapest that poor families can afford to feed the entire family.Wala na kayang ibang paraan para makabili at makakain sa mababang presyo ang mga mahihirap sa atin?
Passenger Ferry Service.
The Cavite-Manila Ferry Service, an offshoot of the "water jeepney" idea, was formally launched on December 8, 2019, by the Philippine Department of Transportation, through the Maritime Industry Authority. The ferry service runs from Cavite City Port Terminal(CCPT) to the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex in Pasay City and to the Liwasang Bonifacio Terminal in Plaza Lawton, Manila, and return. Travel time between CCPT and CCP is about 15 minutes and can accommodate 15 passengers. The CCPT service to Liwasang Bonifacio, with 37 riders, is estimated at 45 minutes. per trip. Fares are still under negotiation. Sana walang "over-loading" para ligtas at iwas sa kalsada ng "heavy traffic", ano.
Beyond Meat.
Scientists at Harvard University has reported that researchers have devised a gelatin scaffolding that mimics the form and flavour of real meat. This technique has created quite a buzz that could help people especially meat lovers, consider lab-grown meat as a sustainable alternative to the real meat. The manufacturing process is promising for making burgers, steaks and sushi grown from animal cells, muscles and fats in the lab. Time will tell if this alternative meat will become popular. Bagay at mabuti kaya ito sa mga "diyetang walang karne " o doon lamang sa umi-iwas sa kolesterol?!
Metro Railway Train 7.
The development of a 20- hectare land in Quezon City as a parling and repair depot ensured the continued progress for the completion of MRT 7. The 23-kilometre line will link North Avenue in Quezon City and San Jose del Monte in Bulacan. Targeted to be completed by 2022, MRT 7 will cut travel time from Manila to Bulacan from two hours to 35 minutes and expected to serve 300,000 to 850,000 passengers a day. It will connect to the Quezon City common gateway station that will house stations for the MRT 3, the LRT1 and eventually, the Metro Manila Subway. Matutupad na rin ang pangakong mas comportable at mabilis na pagba-biyahe para sa ating mga kababayan, hane!
Water Supply.
The Philippines , even with the frequent occurrences of typhoons, monsoon rains, floods and tropical depressions year-round, water shortages, interruptions and rationing continue to happen, especially in Metro Manila. These perennial problems need and deserve to be given prompt and serious attention from the government, the private sector, the water concessionaires and the people. Water utilities, water resources, and water sources like the Angat Dam, Ipo Dam, Laguna Lake, Kaliwa Dam and other sites should be rehabilitated or built. Itong problema sa tubig ay isang sagrado na dapat ay ituwid at ituro sa lahat ang kahalagaan at panganga-ilangan nito sa ating kabuhayan sa araw araw!
Metro Manila Subway.
The Philippine Department of Transportation has formally started on December 21, 2019 the Partial Operability(PO) Section of the construction of the Metro Manila Subway. Project( MMSP). The PO section of the subway system comprises the first stations in Valenzuela City and Quezon City. It involves right-of-way, resettlement and clearing works in the line's depot in Barangay Ugong, East Valenzuela, and the buildings for the Philippine Railway Institute(PRI).Targeted to be partially operable by 2021 the underground rail line, dubbed as the "Project of the Century" will have 15 stations with a terminal station at the NAIA Terminal 3. The first subway rail is expected to serve 370,000 passengers in its first year of full operations.Wala ka ng reklamo : Magiging apat na ang pamamara-an ng transportasyon sa Metro Manila!