THEY are studying the probability of incorporating the “Hybrid Engine Concept” to the existing commuter trains. This is what PNR General Manager Junn Magno says in the press conference this June 14, 2021 held at the PNR Clark 1 site in Calumpit Bulacan, part of the North-South Commuter railway Project by the Department of Transportation and Sumitomo Mitsui Construction Co., Ltd.
According to the DOTr and the PNR, all trains that would traverse the lines from Tutuban in Manila to Clark will all be imported but local manufacturers are welcome and for the Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Hybrid Electric Trains, the PNR is studying its concept to be incorporated in the line-up as a technology.
The DOTr believes in the fusion of local knowledge working hand and hand with foreign technology much like the Build-Build-Build program of the Duterte Administration wherein Foreign Construction companies work side by side with its local counterparts.
DOTr Sec. Art Tugade meanwhile welcome the OFW’s working at the Sumitomo Mitsui train yard in Calumpit and encourage more OFW’s to work here in the country instead and help build the nation.
Present in the activity where DOTr Secretary Art Tugade, Bulacan Governor Daniel Fernando, Bulacan, Vice Governor Wilhelmino M. Sy-Alvarado and Malolos Mayor Gilbert Gatchalian. (Mj Olvina-Balaguer, 09053611058, maryjaneolvina@gmail.com, konekted@dzmjonline.net, Makabuluhang Jornalismo Your Happiness Channel)
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10 June 2021
*TUGADE VOWS TO DELIVER MORE TRANSPORT DEV’T PROJECTS IN PANGASINAN AS LIVELIHOOD, MOBILITY IMPROVE WITH COMPLETED PORT PROJECTS*
LINGAYEN, PANGASINAN – Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Art Tugade vows to further promote development in Pangasinan through vital transport infrastructure projects and other transport initiatives as he led the inspection of the Pangasinan Port Cluster Development Project today, 10 June 2021, in Lingayen.
Secretary Tugade proceeded to the province’s capital to inspect the two (2) DOTr social and tourism port projects in Brgy. Capandanan and Brgy. Pangapisan. These much-needed projects that locals have waited for a long time, now provide a convenient docking area for fisherfolks and allow reduced travel time for locals from one destination to another.
“Pakikinabangan ng Pangasinan ang mga proyektong ito dahil sa pag-unlad ng turismo, ng ekonomiya. Dito sa munting proyektong ito ay tinatanim ang punla to realize the President’s mandate of connectivity and convenience,” Sec. Tugade said.
*Pangasinan Port Cluster Development Project*
During the inspection, local leaders and several fisherfolks expressed their gratitude to Sec. Tugade for the completion of the port projects. They emphasized that the rock causeway with stair landing in Barangay Capandanan and the river landing in Barangay Pangapisan have been game changers for serving as ideal docking areas and convenient facilities for loading/unloading of incoming/outgoing local products, particularly agricultural and marine products in the locality.
The projects were completed in 2018 by the DOTr Maritime sector, together with the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) under the leadership of General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago.
“Malaki ‘ho ang naibibigay na gaan sa pasanin ng ating mga kababayan ang port projects na ito dahil bukod sa pagpapabilis ng biyahe ng ating mga kababayan, maayos na rin ang docking area para sa unloading at loading ng mga isda at agricultural products ng ating mga mangingisda o ibang lokal na residente,” Secretary Tugade pointed out.
“Apo, Secretary, you earned the respect of our congressmen and congresswomen especially when you present yourself, and the ideals, and the plans, programs and actions of the Department. You earned the admiration and respect of Congress where I used to belong. Our beloved Secretary approved the upgrading of our river landing facility. Here in Lingayen, we are supportive of your Department’s program of actions,” Lingayen Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil said.
To note, around 812 fisherfolks were given decent docking areas and venues for the loading/unloading of agricultural products in their communities. Currently, 2,079 residents of Brgy. Capandanan are also ferried to Brgy. Pangapisan, especially those who are studying and working in Lingayen.
From a 30-minute travel by land, the development of the river landings reduced the travel time from Pangapisan to Capandanan and vice versa to just 3-5 minutes.
“Napakahalaga itong nagawang project. Ang barangay namin ang pinakamahirap sa buong Lingayen. Maraming salamat sa DOTr, lalo na kay Secretary Art Tugade dahil naaksyunan ang aming request. Maraming pangarap ang natupad dito sa tinatawag naming Bantayan. Maganda ang kapakinabangan nito sa amin lalo na sa mga estudyante, fisherfolks. Noon kasi nahirapan kami noong pumutok ang Mt. Pinatubo, nagkaroon ng island kaya nawala ‘yung tawiran. Hinihiling din po namin Secretary na sana matugunan ang request namin na second phase ng proyekto,” Brgy. Capandanan Chairman Diosdado Santiago Jr. said.
*Lingayen Airport Expansion*
Aside from the port projects, the DOTr and the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) have also completed several airport projects, including in the Lingayen Airport. However, Sec. Tugade sees the need to further expand its runway for commercial operations.
“Kailangan ‘ho, para mailagay natin sa kategorya ng tourism airport ‘yan ay kailangang pahabain ko ang runway at ma-achieve ‘yung minimum na 1,300 kilometers to 1,500 kilometers. At dapat mapalapad ‘yung runway from what it is na 30 meters ngayon. Kailangan ma-achieve natin ‘yung 40 meters. Dagdagan namin five meters sa kaliwa, five meters sa kanan, nang sa ganon ay ma-achieve ‘yung requirement,” Secretary Tugade stated.
*Free Ride Program*
Another part of Sec. Tugade’s Pangasinan visit was his dialogue with transport groups and stakeholders in Dagupan, Urdaneta, and Rosales, wherein vital road transport initiatives were discussed. These include the expansion of the Free Ride Service Program of the DOTr for healthcare workers and authorized persons outside residence (APORs) in Pangasinan.
The Transportation Chief added that the “Libreng Sakay” initiative will be expanded up to 10 routes to cover inter-towns in Pangasinan.
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8 June 2021
TUGADE TO FORMER OFWS: YOU HAVE OPPORTUNITIES HERE, WORK IN THE DOTr
MANILA – Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary called on former overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) to make use of available employment opportunities in the country and be given priority to work under the Build, Build, Build Infrastructure Program of the Duterte Administration.
Sec. Tugade made the call during the 2021 Migrant Workers’ Day celebration organized by the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), where he and Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) to provide OFWs displaced by the pandemic with employment opportunities in the DOTr through seamless reintegration.
“This agreement will serve a dual purpose. First, our repatriated OFWs who are out of work will be able to work under the DOTr at narito sila sa sarili nilang bansa. They no longer need to go out of the country because work is here at home. Second, we will not be looking elsewhere in getting the needed workforce to finish various infrastructure projects,” Tugade said during the MOA signing ceremony.
With many countries dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic, the employment of many OFWs were affected, forcing them to return home, Sec. Tugade said.
In recognition of their sacrifice, the government reached out to the displaced OFWs and immediately offered them assistance.
“Using a whole-of-government approach in dealing with this pressing situation, nagsama-sama ‘ho tayong lahat— ang DOTr, ang DOLE at ang OWWA— upang makatulong sa ating mga OFWs. Ganyan ‘ho pinahahalagahan ng pamahalaan ang inyong kapakanan,” said Tugade.
Under the agreement, the DOTr will provide OWWA with a list of vacant positions and skills required where an OFW can apply for work. The DOTr will likewise inform OWWA of other projects that may benefit OFWs.
Tugade cited as an example, the 200 former OFWs now employed to work on the PNR Clark Phase 1 Project. He added that 2,000 more available jobs will be made available to prioritize not only OFWs, but also displaced public utility drivers and conductors once the project becomes operational.
The transportation chief also told Labor Secretary Bello his favorite success story about “Deo,” a former OFW who worked as an engineer in Denmark but is now practicing his profession in the Build, Build, Build Program.
“Siya ay pumunta sa Clark upang umattend ng pulong-pulong kasama ang kanyang asawa at anak. Sinabi n’ya, ‘Handa akong magtrabaho sa Republika ng Pilipinas! Gumawa ako ng tren, subway para sa ibang bansa. Gusto ko naman tumulong at gumawa ng mga proyektong ito para sa kapwa ko Pilipino, sa mahal kong bansa’. Maraming taon ang kanyang iginugugol sa ibang bansa, ngayon nakikiisa sya sa proyekto ng Pilipino para sa Pilipino,” Sec. Tugade shared.
Tugade said employment opportunities abound in the DOTr, where former OFWs can “work without leaving home” and at the same time earn a decent income.
“Nariyan ang mga proyekto sa riles, paliparan, kalsada, ports projects. Andito ang oportunidad. Pumasok kayo at gamitin ang oportunidad na nandito,” he said.
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