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DoTC lists priority projects for PPP

Philippine Daily Inquirer / 9:52 pm | Monday, February 6th, 2012 on 02/10/2012 at 9:18 am Uhr

The government plans to bid out a contract to extend southwards the Light Railway Transit-1 from Baclaran to Cavite by March or April this year, adding a crucial mass transportation project worth around P45 billion to this year’s pipeline of public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure projects.
The LRT-1 project is among the big-ticket infrastructure projects to be contributed by the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) to the much-awaited PPP agenda apart from large-scale projects to be funded by the government itself to help pump-prime the economy, Transportation Secretary Mar Roxas said in a briefing Monday.
The DoTC is also fast-tracking the construction of a modern international airport in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, to accommodate an increased influx of tourists following the inclusion of the Underground River among the world’s “New Seven Wonders of Nature.” The P4.46-billion project will be funded using bilateral assistance from South Korea. The bidding for the construction of the airport will be held in the third quarter of the year.
Other big-ticket infrastructure projects under DoTC’s responsibility that investors hope to see auctioned this year are the Laguindingan Airport operation and maintenance ($34.9 million), automatic fare collection system for LRT ($7 million), Mactan-Cebu airport new terminal development ($180 million), construction of a new Bohol airport ($158 million) and LRT-2 east extension ($206 million).
Those are indeed the “PPP examples,” Roxas said, adding that other projects could also be added to the pipeline, such as the rehabilitation of Sasa Port in Davao and the passenger terminal buildings in Tacloban and Cebu.
Roxas said the blueprint for LRT-1 is now with the National Economic and Development Authority and likely to hurdle approvals soon. He added that the government was now working on the terms of reference and might be able to bid out the PPP project for the design and construction of the railway expansion to Cavite.
The vision is to harness private sector money to build the railway extension with the help of land right-of-way acquired by the government, which will separately procure the additional fleet that will run on the expanded railway.
“Subsequently, the government, through ODA [official development assistance], will then bid out the rolling stock and once that’s completed, it will be added to the inventory of vehicles that will ply the route,” Roxas said.
“Whoever wins the design and construction contract will also win the O&M [operation and maintenance] of the entire 28-kilometer railway,” he said.
LRT-1, the oldest elevated railway in the metropolis, runs a 16-kilometer stretch from Monumento to Baclaran, while the expansion will involve an additional 12 kilometers to reach Cavite. Overall, the LRT-1 rehabilitation, including the acquisition of new fleet, will cost P80 billion, of which the railway construction alone will cost P45 billion.
Roxas said the country’s railways would soon be rebranded to follow a color scheme, adopting popular global practice and thus making it easier for tourists and first-time passengers to use the mass transportation system. LRT-1 will be known as the “green line,” LRT-2 as the “blue” line and LRT-3 (also known as Metro Railway Transit-3 along EDSA) the “yellow” line.

OFW remittances up 11% to $1.7 B in Aug

By Lawrence Agcaoili (The Philippine Star) Updated October 18, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (0) on 10/18/2011 at 10:48 am Uhr

MANILA, Philippines - Total remittances by Filipinos working overseas posted a double-digit growth for the first time this year, expanding by 11.1 percent in August due to sustained demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) reported yesterday.

BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco Jr. said the amount of money sent home by Filipinos working abroad amounted to $1.67 billion in August, $168 million higher than last year’s $1.502 billion.

“Remittances from overseas Filipinos coursed through banks grew by a double-digit rate for the first time in August to reach $1.7 billion. The cash transfers in August 2011 represented a year-on-year expansion of 11.1 percent,” Tetangco reported.

Data showed that OFW remittances increased by 6.9 percent to $13.021 billion in the first eight months of the year from $12.181 billion in the same period last year as the amount of money sent home by sea-based Filipino workers jumped 14.4 percent while that of land-based workers climbed five percent.

“Notwithstanding lingering global economic uncertainties, the cumulative stream of remittances from overseas Filipinos continued to be solid and resilient, supported by sustained demand for Filipino skills abroad,” the BSP chief said.

The bulk or about 85 percent of total remittances in the first eight months of the year came from Filipinos working in the US, Canada, Saudi Arabia, United Kingdom, Japan, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Italy, Germany and Norway.

The Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) reported stable employment prospects for OFWs as the number of processed job orders climbed by 8.6 percent to193,176 from January to September this year for Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Qatar, Kuwait, and Hong Kong from 177,936 in the same period last year.

The POEA also reported that another batch of licensed Filipino nurses and caregivers are expected to be deployed in Japan next year as part of the continuing hiring program under the Philippines-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement.

Tetangco added that the growing number of alternative remittance services offered by banks and financial institutions also encouraged oversead Filipinos and their beneficiaries to use the formal channels for their fund transfers.

“Meanwhile, commercial banks’ continuing aggressive efforts to build up their network of remittance business partners worldwide have contributed in the country’s larger share of global remittance market. Partnerships have been strengthened with correspondent banks and with other remittance companies abroad,” he explained.

Last April, the BSP lowered its OFW remittance growth forecast to seven percent or $20.1 billion instead of the original target of eight percent or $20.2 billion this year due to the tensions in the MENA region and the disasters in Japan. Next year, it expects a slower growth of five percent or $21.2 billion.

According to him, OFW remittances would further pick up in the coming months in time for the Christmas season despite the political crisis in the Middle East and North African (MENA) states.

“Going forward, the remittance outlook for the remaining months of the year remains favorable as government redeployment strategies are in place to help Filipino workers affected by the social unrest in the MENA region,” he said.

OFW remittances grew by 8.2 percent to a record level $18.76 billion last year from $17.35 billion in 2009 due to the continued demand for skilled Filipino workers abroad as well as the expansion of remittance centers abroad giving OFWs more options to send money to their loved ones in the Philippines.

DOTC pursues LRT extension projects

By Shielo Mendoza | Yahoo! Southeast Asia Newsroom on 10/07/2011 at 11:18 am Uhr

The Department of Transportation and Communications is reviving the Light Rail Transport extension projects as part of its multi-billion, five-year transport infrastructure plan.

According to a press statement on Thursday, DOTC will push for the extension of LRT 1 from Baclaran to Cavite; LRT 2 from Santolan, Pasig to Masinag, Antipolo; and the reconfiguration of the NorthRail project.

The NorthRail project, which involves the rehabilitation of a train line connecting Metro Manila to provinces in northern Luzon, has been hounded with allegations of overpricing for years.

But DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas said in the statement that they will pursue the speedy and just resolution of past infrastructure projects, such as the NorthRail, which “simply did not fit the standards of a sound deal either by dint of corruption or technical fault.”

Roxas added that they are reconfiguring the NorthRail project after a productive discussion with top Chinese officials during a recent trip in China with President Benigno Aquino III.

Provincial international airports

Aside from the LRT extension, the P565-billion project will include the establishment of international airports in Puerto Princesa, Palawan; Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental; and Panglao, Bohol.

Another major project featured in the five-year plan is the development of ports in Davao and the roll-on, roll-off (RORO) projects linking China with either Subic or Batangas ports.

The statement further said that the DOTC secretary assured the delivery of the infrastructure programs in the fastest possible time without omitting due process or diligence so that taxpayers can get the best value for their money.

Phase-out periods for public vehicles

The department will likewise enforce policies that will prohibit taxis, buses and jeepneys from operating beyond a specific number of years. The policies aim to lessen carbon dioxide emissions, prevent accidents and ensure the comfort of commuters.

Taxis and multi-cabs have been given a phase-put period of 10 years while UV expresses can operate for 15 years, according to DOTC.

“There is no more important way to measure our performance at DOTC than by our safety score for our passengers,” Roxas said. “We intend to make safety standards enforcement a religious vow in the department. No more ‘business as usual,’ ‘okay na ‘yan,’ ‘bahala na’ attitudes.”

Pro-Friends posts record sales

TUESDAY, 19 JULY 2011 18:40 AIR URQUIOLA/BUSINESS MIRROR on 08/01/2011 at 9:04 am Uhr

ONE of the Philippines’ most innovative property companies and topnotch housing developers, Property Company of Friends Inc., or “Pro-Friends,” has once more cemented its status as one of the country’s leading real-estate companies by achieving record sales during the first half of the year. Pro-Friends, which is known for its property developments in Cavite and Iloilo as well as the developer of Lancaster and Bellefort Estates, has vigorously surpassed its previous sales figures, posting more than 3,500 units within the first five months of 2011.

According to Pro-Friends president Jocelyn Guzman, “Its successful track record in sales is a reflection of the company’s brilliant and effective business strategies, resulting in increased sales from satisfied homebuyers searching for the best real-estate deals in the country. The organization’s sales performance from January to May this year clearly indicates that homebuyers nowadays are much wiser; they prefer a company that gives the best, value for money deals as evidenced by our sales take-up of P5.3 billion for the first five months of the year.”

Guzman also said that the demand for housing supply in the Philippines continues to be high, that is why Pro-Friends is always ready to respond to the challenge of building and selling more affordable quality homes in the upcoming months. “We are very optimistic about the future of real estate in the country,” Guzman added.

“Its record-breaking accomplishment in sales for the past five months is an obvious indicator of the achievements of the company’s projects,” Pro-Friends VP for sales and marketing Vince Abejo said. “The projects’ success lies on several factors, which include the right product offerings that meet the needs of Filipino homebuyers, supported by aggressive marketing and sales programs, including excellent customer service. The company’s success in sales is also mainly attributed to the fantastic efforts of Pro-Friends’ assertive and hardworking sales and marketing teams.”

Pro-Friend’s record-setting sales performance shows that the company has perfected the right product offering; matched with a well-planned financial scheme, and is preferred by the affordable and middle- income market sectors. The company has a limited offering of 10-percent down payment payable in 12 months and the buyers can move in sooner—on the 13th month to be more precise. The deal comes with no balloon payments with low interest of 10 percent per annum locked in for the first three years.

This latest promotion is designed for home buyers who want to move in quickly, or who have difficulty raising the usual 20-percent down payment (at 24 months bank financing option) but can afford a slightly higher monthly amortization.

The company, which was founded in 1999, has completed 52 successful communities so far and 36 ongoing projects, including Bellefort Estates, Lancaster Estates, California West Hills, Carmona Estates, Garden Grove Village, Greensborough Subdivision, Ridge Crest, Montefaro Village, Monticello Villas and Parc Regency Residences.

Recently, the Makati Showroom located on the ground floor of 6796 Convergys One Building, Ayala Avenue corner Salcedo Street, Legaspi Village in Makati City, was inaugurated and Pro-Friends announced that their prospective clients can now view photos of model houses and scale models of the company’s two flagship projects—Lancaster Estates and Bellefort Estates.

“With the construction of both flagship projects in full swing and sales take-up rocketing sky high, this milestone not only shows how positive we are about 2011 but also underscores an even stronger commitment to the Filipino homebuyers,” remarked Pro-Friends chairman Guillermo Choa. Visit www.profriends.com for more information.

LRTA Line 1 Cavite extension project pushed this year

(The Philippine Star) Updated June 20, 2011 12:00 AM on 06/21/2011 at 10:04 am Uhr

LRTA Line 1 Cavite extension project pushed this year
(The Philippine Star) Updated June 20, 2011 12:00 AM Comments (6)

MANILA, Philippines - LRTA Administrator Rafael S. Rodriguez has expressed optimism that the implementation of the Line 1 Cavite Extension Project will commence as scheduled within this year as one of the DOTC’s priority projects under the Public-Private Partnership program of the Aquino government.

The project which is seen to benefit some 225,000 passengers per day from the cities of Parañaque and Las Piñas, and the province of Cavite, will extend the existing LRT Line 1 system by 11.7 kilometers that will start from the existing Baclaran Station and end at Bacoor in Cavite.

It will include the construction of eight new passenger stations at Redemptorist, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino Avenue, Dr. A. Santos Avenue, Zapote and Niyog in Bacoor and the purchase of additional trains.

Rodriguez said he will continue to push for the project’s implementation because it will benefit not only the LRT passengers but also the motorists who will experience faster travel time due to the reduction in the volume of traffic along the project corridor. The project is also expected to reduce greenhouse gases with the expected passenger shift from motor vehicles to the LRT.

With the completion of the Line 1 Cavite Extension Project, passengers can enjoy a faster and a more efficient ride from Cavite to North Avenue in Quezon City and transfer to the MRT 3 line, if they want to in one seamless operation. This, according to Rodriguez, is the essence of the interconnectivity that is being espoused by the DOTC and its rail sector.

Pro-Friends sees pickup in Cavite property sales

Posted in Daily Tribune -March 15, 2010 on 02/18/2011 at 12:05 pm Uhr

Pro-Friends sees pickup in Cavite property sales

Real estate developer Property Company of Friends Inc. (Pro-Friends) expressed confidence on prospects for the real estate industry this year after having added sizeable development projects such as the 200-hectare Lancaster Estates that spans Imus, Kawit and Gen. Trias, and the 110-hectare Bellefort Estates in Molino, Bacoor, Cavite to its roster of properties.

ProFriends also has Parc Regency Residences located in Iloilo, where it also has a strong presence.

Pro-Friends executive vice president Augusto Leonardo said the company to date has “provided more than 20,000 quality and affordable housing units to its growing list of satisfied clientele in Imus, Molino, Dasmariñas and Carmona in Cavite and in Iloilo.

“We also have been getting very positive feedback on the linear park feature of our projects so we intend to continue utilizing this feature in our future projects,” Leonardo said.

Pro-Friends has attracted the country’s middle-income bracket with its communities that offer more affordable, value for money homes that give today’s growing families increasing opportunities to enjoy life at its fullest.

“We commit to provide quality projects in an environment conducive to the development of the community, as well as excellent customer services that would combine both professional and personal concern for the buyers’ welfare,” Leonardo added.

Such qualities are being enjoyed by residents of Pro-Friends communities like California West Hills, Villa de Alyssa, Primarosa North, Primarosa East, Las Verandas Villas and Palm Grove Village in Imus, Cavite, Jardin de Madrid and Rosewood Subdivision in Bacoor, Cavite, Chateau Real in General Trias, Cavite, Greensborough, University Executive Villas, Gold Crest Villas and Ville de Soleil in Dasmariñas, Cavite, Primavera Villas in Cabanatuan City and One Primrose Place in Mandaluyong City.

In addition, Pro-Friends has enjoyed tremendous success in communities such as Avignon Place, Montefaro Village, Chesapeake Village, Windsor Mansions and One Lancaster Lane in Imus, Cavite, Northeast Primarosa and Ridge Crest in Bacoor, Cavite, Mahogany Mansion in Mandaluyong City, Parklane Country Homes in Dasmariñas, Cavite, Ville de Palme in General Trias, Cavite and Kinnari Village, Amandala Village, Pine Crest, The Oaks and Cedar Village in Carmona, Cavite; where majority of the units have already been sold out.

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