NLEX Corporation will be on full alert from March 22 to April 1 to manage the anticipated 10% increase in traffic volume during the Holy Week.

With 1,500 traffic, toll and system personnel in full force, NLEX will reactivate the “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko” (SMSK) motorist assistance program to ensure that motorists are given assistance as they head to the provinces during Holy Week. At the same time, motorists going north via NLEX, SCTEX and NLEX Connector are advised to avoid traveling during peak hours for a more convenient expressway experience.

“We are encouraging our motorists to plan their trips well and travel during non-peak times to avoid possible delays caused by the influx of travelers,” said J. Luigi L. Bautista, NLEX Corporation President and General Manager. 

The surge of travelers heading north is anticipated starting 10am of March 27 until 2pm of March 28. For Manila-bound vehicles, high volume traffic is expected from 4pm to 11pm of March 30 and from 2pm of March 31 to 8am of April 1.

To manage traffic effectively, NLEX will deploy additional personnel in high volume areas of its expressways including the rest and refuel stations. Incident response teams, tow trucks, and fire trucks will also be strategically stationed for prompt deployment. Moreover, additional traffic signage will be installed to better guide its motorists.

For the duration of the SMSK, road works and lane closures along NLEX, SCTEX and NLEX Connector will be suspended except where safety repairs will be necessary. The safety repair of the Canumay Overpass was fast tracked to complete major works before holy week and to secure availability of all lanes under the bridge during this period. Free towing service to the nearest exit will also be available for class 1 vehicles from 6am of March 22 until 6am of March 25, 6am of March 27 to 6am of March 29, and 6am of March 30 until 6am of April 1.

NLEX has implemented decongestion projects in Meycauayan Northbound designed to help ease the expected traffic surge this coming holy week. The new F. Raymundo Northbound Exit in Brgy. Pandayan serves as an alternate route for class 1 vehicles going to the eastern portions of Meycauayan and Marilao. On the other hand, the additional lane at Meycauayan Northbound Exit ramp is now being used as the new dedicated lane for Malhacan-bound vehicles while the leftmost and middle lanes are assigned for those going to Iba/Camalig, providing additional space for the high volume of trucks going to the industrial areas.

Another decongestion effort is the expansion of the SCTEX ramp from Tarlac going to NLEX in Mabalacat, Pampanga. An additional lane for incoming vehicles from SCTEX going NLEX is being constructed and major works will be completed before Holy Week. This will be opened to help improve the traffic flow in the area especially during peak hours and will resume finishing works after Holy Week.

“We are hoping that these decongestion projects, alongside with other measures, will contribute to a more manageable traffic flow this Holy Week,” said Bautista.

NLEX Corporation also shared that the Candaba 3^rd Viaduct project is now in full swing of its construction. Expected to be completed by November 2024, the current Candaba Viaduct will be expanded to three lanes with inner and outer shoulders in each direction from three lanes without shoulders.

While NLEX continuously upgrades its roads and assets to cater the increasing traffic demand, NLEX appeals for the cooperation and patience of the motoring public that will travel to NLEX-SCTEX-NLEX Connector this Holy Week.

“As we expect a huge number of vehicles, we appeal to the public for extra patience, cooperation, and discipline. For our part, NLEX will maximize its assets to ensure managed traffic flow, but for a hassle-free travel, make sure that you are in good fit before you drive, observe proper distancing and follow traffic regulations. Also, have your cars and RFID checked ahead of your trip,” Bautista said.

The tollway company also advises its motorists to get their Easytrip RFID for faster toll transaction and reminds RFID users to ensure that they have sufficient load before travel to avoid inconvenience.

To complement the on-ground efforts, NLEX Corporation’s social media accounts @NLEXexpressways and hotline (02) 1-35000 will remain accessible 24/7 for any concerns alongside with regular traffic updates and live traffic streaming of key areas on Facebook. NLEX Corporation is a subsidiary of Metro Pacific Tollways Corporation, the toll road arm of the Metro Pacific Investments Corporation.

CITY OF MALOLOS—More than 1,000 youth from at least 32 colleges and universities in Bulacan will be actively engaging and honing their talents and skills in various sports activities as the province launched its first ever Bulacan Universities and Colleges Athletic Association (BUCAA). 

Gov. Daniel Fernando led the launching of BUCAA on Thursday at EDSA Shangri-la Hotel in Mandaluyong City where he announced April 15 as the grand opening of the tournaments to be held at the 5.6 hectare Bulacan Sports Complex in this capital city. 

Male and female youth will initially have to compete in basketball and cheerdance for this first season opening. Chess, table tennis, volleyball, badminton and other game and sports categories will be opened in the next succeeding seasons, Fernando added.

BUCAA is under the Sports Development Program of the Provincial Government of Bulacan (PGB) which is part of Fernando’s 10-point agenda of leadership.

BUCAA, Fernando said is the kick-off of the PGB’s major sports program for Bulacan youth which is the establishment of Bulacan Sports Academy in Bulacan Sports Complex. 

According to the governor, Bulacan, because of its vast fields and mountains, continues to be the home of international and national champions in different sports categories. The collegiate level, however, he said, lacks a regular tournament which could help the country produce more future champions. 

“We have excellent students in sports, we have champions who started when they were just young kids. But when they grow up and want to pursue their dreams as they enter the collegiate level, the opportunities are just too limited. Today, with BUCAA, we will start to open wider doors for our young sports enthusiasts and champions especially when we open our very own Bulacan Sports Academy, we will contribute more in producing worldwide champions for our country,” Fernando said. 

Benjie Santos, OIC head of the Sports Division of the Bulacan Provincial Youth and Sports Development Office said the grand champion in the basketball category will bring home P400,000; the 1st runner up will receive P200,000; the 2nd runner will receive P150,000.00 and the 3rd runner up will have  P100,000.00. 

The Cheer Dance Champion will receive  P200,000.00; the first runner up will receive  P150,000; the 2nd runner up will receive a P100,000.00 prize and the 3rd runner up with P60,000 prize. 

Each team, Santos said, will be provided with a P20,000 subsidy by the PGB. He added that there will be a one school, one basketball and one Cheer Dance entry policy. 

According to Atty. Nikki Manuel S. Coronel, Fernando’s chief of staff and tournament director, all the succeeding games will be held in the gymnasiums or covered courts of each of the participating colleges and universities.

It is also one way of promoting the colleges and universities, he added. The process will also provide home court advantage that will further help boost the youth capabilities and drum up excitement and thrill in the first season.

The game runs from April-June.  

Fernando added that Alejandro Tengco, former vice mayor of the City of Malolos who now chairs the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has already pledged support for the construction of the Sports Academy. 

Vice Gov. Alexis Castro, a basketball enthusiast and player who recently championed the PGB basketball tournament said the project was conceptualized under Executive Order No. 11 in accordance to Republic Act 10742, also known as the “Sangguniang Kabataan Reform Act of 2015” where it outlines nine key areas of youth involvement, which serves as the foundation for developing the Local Youth Development Plan that will be instrumental in designing programs aimed at enhancing the well-being of the youth in Bulacan. 

Globe has significantly expanded its 5G footprint across the Philippines and globally with 894 new sites as of the end of last year, a major step towards enhancing digital connectivity and empowering Filipinos worldwide.

In 2023, Globe achieved 97.90% outdoor coverage in the National Capital Region and 92.36% in key cities across Visayas and Mindanao. This progress resulted in Globe logging over 5.8 million devices connected to its 5G network in December 2023 alone.

Globe has strategically moderated its spending on new 5G sites, considering current market conditions and the search for viable use cases that fully harness the potential of 5G technology. This approach reflects the company’s commitment to not only advance technology but also ensure its sustainable and strategic deployment.

Meanwhile, Globe has expanded its 5G roaming partnerships, now encompassing 156 global partners across 82 destinations. Globe now boasts the most extensive presence in Africa with the addition of Nigeria in partnership with MTN, Mauritius via Cellplus, and an anticipated collaboration with Kenya through Africell.

In Asia, Globe has extended its reach to Kazakhstan and Laos via partnerships with Tele2 and LaoTel, respectively.

Globe has also established 5G roaming partnerships in Germany with Emnify and E-Plus Mobilfunk, Hong Kong through China Unicom, Korea via LG Uplus, Malaysia in partnership with Cellcom and YTL, Norway through Mobile Norway, Sweden with Tele2 and COM4, and Thailand via DTAC.

Additionally, international visitors in the Philippines can enjoy 5G speeds through Globe’s collaborations with international networks such as Dialog in Sri Lanka, Orange in Egypt, and Manx Telecom in the Isle of Man.

“We are committed to providing Filipinos with cutting-edge connectivity solutions, both at home and abroad. Through strategic partnerships and continuous innovation, we are paving the way for a future where everyone can enjoy the full benefits of 5G technology,” said Darius Delgado, Head of Globe’s Consumer Mobile Business.

Globe’s 5G network enables faster, more reliable connections that empower individuals, businesses, and communities. As the company continues to explore new frontiers in digital connectivity, it remains committed to delivering the benefits of 5G technology to Filipinos worldwide.To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

Leading digital solutions platform Globe has successfully completed its innovative pilot program featuring hybrid solar power, marking a major step forward in greener network operations. This milestone aligns with the company’s firm commitment to sustainability and its goal to achieve Net Zero Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions by 2050.

The program, which ran from 2022 to 2023, focused on integrating hybrid solar power across 26 diverse Globe sites – three in the National Capital Region (NCR), 17 in South Luzon, and six in Mindanao.

The sites include off-grid towers traditionally dependent on diesel gensets but can be fully powered either solely by renewable energy with battery energy storage system or a combination of renewables and diesel fuel. The technology was also tested in bad-grid tower sites experiencing frequent power outages and in good-grid tower sites that utilize a mix of coal and renewable energy sources from the power grid.

Results of the initiative have been remarkable, with Globe saving an estimated of over 119,000 liters of diesel fuel and avoiding over 67,000 kWh of electricity consumption, equating to approximately PHP6.9M in savings. These figures not only highlight the program’s effectiveness in reducing environmental impact but also underscore the potential for cost savings and efficiency improvements in sustainable energy solutions.

Joel Agustin, Globe Network Planning and Engineering Head, commented, “Successfully implementing hybrid solar power across multiple sites represents a big leap in our efforts to decarbonize our operations. Beyond demonstrating our dedication to environmental stewardship, it also cements Globe’s status as the Most Sustainability-Driven Network Operator in the Philippines.”

Traditionally, Globe’s cell sites have relied on electricity from the national power grid, a significant portion of which comes from coal, and conventional diesel gensets for backup power. But the shift to sustainable sources became an imperative, especially for sites without commercial power-grid connectivity or with unreliable grid conditions. They typically relied on traditional gensets operating continuously.

Globe’s hybrid solar power solution incorporates several innovative features. It includes a Solar Mini-Grid that can be built within the facility or adjacent area, offering scalable capacity and adaptability. This system provides direct power to on-site equipment, making it ideal for deployment in challenging terrains.

The solution also includes an Advanced Solar Hybrid solution, an intelligent off-grid alternative power system that primarily uses solar energy, switching to the rectifier battery system and diesel genset as needed.

Encouraged by the promising results, Globe is set to progressively deploy its hybrid solar power technology across its cell sites. The company is actively pursuing green solutions and innovations that will reduce its network’s GHG and overall carbon footprint. This approach reflects Globe’s deep-rooted commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible corporate citizenship.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.

The 7th Infantry (Kaugnay) Division, Philippine Army, commences the 10-day Camp/Work immersion of 122 Senior High School students from Talavera Senior High School in an Opening Ceremony held at Bulwagang Bandong, Kaugnay Hall, Fort Magsaysay, Palayan City, Nueva Ecija yesterday, March 11.

The said activity was spearheaded by the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations, G7, headed by Colonel Magtangol G. Panopio, together with the faculty staff of Talavera Senior High School.

The 10-day Work/Camp immersion will cover lectures and practical activities regarding military courtesy and discipline, drills and ceremonies, basic survival skills, weapons familiarization, and military customs and traditions for senior high school students.

Also, Philippine Army Major Units inside Fort Magsaysay will showcase their unit’s capability to provide practical military experiences for the Work/Camp Immersion participants.

The 7ID will continue its partnership with the Department of Education in providing practical experiences for the youth to instill values of the nation’s foundation through structured learning experiences.

Dumalo si Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva para saksihan ang ceremonial signing ng Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) ng Trabaho Para sa Bayan (TPB) Act ngayong Martes, ika-12 ng Marso 2024, na kanyang inisponsoran at inakda sa Senado. Ang TPB Act o Republic Act No. 11962 na naging batas noong Setyembre 2023 ay naglalayong tugunan ang problema ng unemployment at underemployment sa bansa sa pamamagitan ng paglikha ng isang masterplan para pag-isahin ang lahat ng pagsisikap ng pamahalaan tungo sa pinag-isang employment policy. Kasama ni Villanueva sina National Economic and Development Authority Secretary Arsenio Balisacan, Department of Labor and Employment Secretary Bienvenido Laguesma at iba pang mga opisyal mula sa iba’t ibang mga ahensya ng pamahalaan. 

Over a thousand women’s empowerment and gender equality advocates gathered at the Samsung Hall, SM Aura for a summit to celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD). Anchored on the IWD theme, ‘Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress,’ the summit was headlined by keynote speaker Senate President Pro Tempore Loren Legarda (third from left), who was joined by (from right): SM Supermalls President Steven Tan, UN Women Country Programme Coordinator Rosalyn Mesina, Philippine Commission on Women (PCW) Officer-in-Charge Atty. Khay Ann Magundayao-Borlado and Deputy Executive Director Kristine Balmes, and moderator Bernadette Sembrano. Led by the PCW and UN Women, in partnership with SM Supermalls, the summit gathered esteemed speakers and panelists including United Nations Philippines Resident Coordinator Gustavo Gonzalez, Australian Ambassador HK Yu PSM, Canadian Ambassador David Hartman, and She Loves Tech co-founder Leanne Robers.

By Harvey Sapigao

Gas hydrates are great alternative energy sources, but they could also harm us and the environment.

Much like carbonated drinks are water infused with carbon dioxide, gas hydrates are ice mostly infused with methane, a natural gas used as fuel. Gas hydrates are ice-like substances that usually only form beneath the seafloor, where the pressure is high and the temperature is just below the water’s freezing point of 0°C.

Elisha Jane Maglalang, Dr. Leo Armada, Madeleine Santos, Karla May Sayen, and Dr. Carla Dimalanta of the UP Diliman College of Science National Institute of Geological Sciences (UPD-CS NIGS) discovered that gas hydrates may be abundant in the Manila Trench, west of Luzon. Their study is the first to investigate these substances in Philippine trenches, pioneering gas hydrate research in the country.

Because gas hydrates contain huge amounts of carbon and methane, they can be a great alternative energy source. “The western Philippines has vast potential for this unconventional energy resource,” the researchers said. They discovered that a total area of around 15,400 square kilometers in the Manila Trench, or about the size of Palawan, could contain gas hydrates. They estimate these substances might be around 200 to 500 meters below the seafloor.

However, gas hydrates can be a geologic and environmental threat. Because gas hydrates are unstable solids, they will dissociate and melt when the conditions in which they form change, usually during earthquakes. Worryingly, the Manila Trench is an active margin, responsible for numerous earthquakes in Western Luzon. When gas hydrates melt, it will agitate the seafloor, possibly triggering submarine landslides and tsunamis.

Moreover, methane can harm the environment when released into the atmosphere. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming, and just one cubic-meter block of gas hydrate contains as many as 160 cubic-meter blocks of methane in its gas form. This is equivalent to 14% of an average Filipino’s methane emission in 2021.

“Therefore, it is essential to determine the distribution and stability conditions of gas hydrates offshore of the Philippines,” the researchers emphasized.

To determine their location without drilling through the seafloor, scientists rely on sound waves. Similar to how a pond reflects sunlight, gas-bearing substances like gas hydrates reflect sound waves. These seismic reflections, called bottom-simulating reflectors (BSRs), indicate where gas hydrates might be present. By analyzing existing seismic data in the Manila Trench, the UP geologists were able to map out BSRs and, consequently, deduce possible locations of gas hydrates in the region.

The researchers note, however, that while BSRs are tell-tale signs of gas hydrates, they are not definitive. “Future drilling of offshore targets will be instrumental in confirming methane hydrate occurrence,” the researchers said. “These investigations offer a vital opportunity to develop our indigenous energy wealth,” they added.

To move forward, the researchers are conducting additional investigations in other offshore places in the Philippines to expand our geophysical dataset. Moreover, the team is spearheading efforts to foster marine geophysics in the country. ”These efforts will contribute not only to the advancement of scientific knowledge but also to the development of the expertise of Filipino geoscientists in marine geophysics,” they concluded.

STATEMENT OF SUPPORT

It is with great honor that I express my heartfelt congratulations and warm support for Secretary Ralph Gonzalez Recto of the Department of Finance.

Coming from the distinguished Recto clan of Batangas, Secretary Ralph G. Recto is a welcome addition to the Marcos Administration for his in-depth knowledge on economic reforms which will definitely benefit our country in its quest for steady progress.

I am truly honored to have worked with then Senator Recto in the Senate as our Senate President Pro Tempore. His brilliant achievements on legislation and policy making have consistently reflected his commitment to fiscal responsibility and sustainable development.

As Secretary of Finance, I am confident that Secretary Recto will bring a fresh perspective and innovative solutions to address the country’s post pandemic economic challenges. His vision for growth, keen observation and his strategic and intellectual approach to economic policies will undoubtedly steer this nation toward greater prosperity and financial stability.

Under his guidance and competent leadership, the Department of Finance will continue to uphold its mission of fostering economic growth, making the Philippines more globally competitive in the field of international economics. 

Ang dugong Batangueno at maharlikang Pilipino ang nananalaytay sa ating kapita-pitagang Kalihim ng Kagawaran ng Pananalapi. Taglay niya ang angking talino na gagabay sa ating bansa tungo sa masaganang bukas para sa mga darating pang henerasyon. 

With great exultation, I congratulate Secretary Recto for his well-deserved achievement and thank him for his unwavering commitment for our country and people.

Thank you Mr. Chairman.