Metro: ‘Undas’ security measures set
Metro: Traffic expert cites enforcement plus technology solves holiday traffic rush
Region: CL expressways gear up for big ‘Undas’ volume
Region: Over 6,000 cops to be deployed in Mimaropa for ‘Undas’
Region: PNP: All set for Boracay reopening today
Labor: Metro Manila workers want P1,300 daily pay
Weather: Amihan season is here —PAGASA
Weather: Cloudy skies, isolated rainshowers expected over Metro Manila 

Metro: ‘Undas’ security measures set

By Alfred P. Dalizon | Source: People’s Tonight | Date: October 26, 2018 

Police are preparing its security measures for Undas 2018 to keep the country safe and this are calling anew on the public to help them thwart the presence of organized crime groups who may likely increase their activities when Filipinos leave their homes to visit their departed ones in public and private cemeteries nationwide. 

PNP chief, Director General Oscar D. Albayalde asked the general public to follow very important tips that could save lives, limbs and properties from criminals or even accidents while traveling in a personal vehicle or a taxi during the forthcoming All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. 

The PNP chief said with the influx of and movement of people from the rural areas to urban centers or vice-versa next week, they are implementing a massive security, traffic and public safety plan. 

These include the intensification of the conduct of foot and mobile patrols in areas and during times when their presence is most needed; establishment of Police Assistance Desks in places of convergence like shopping malls;  deployment of road Safety Marshals;  conduct of more checkpoint operations; and conduct of joint PNP-Armed Forces interdiction patrols to deter illegal discharge of firearms. 

He said travel safety tips should also be remembered by the public to protect them in their workplaces and their vehicles and ensure their safety while traveling on their way home even as the 170,000-strong police force steps up its massive security program. 

National Capital Region Police Office chief, Director Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar also warned the public against members of criminal groups known for preying on targets in Metro Manila and other parts of the country during ‘Undas.’ 

Among these groups are Salisi Gang, Ipit Taxi Gang, Siksik Gang, Riles Gang, Budol Budol, Sneaky Office Intruders, Condo Criminals and Solicit Gang, he said. 

The PNP chief has reminded the public to be AVA or Be Alert, Vigilant and Accountable to enjoy a safe and peaceful ‘Undas 2018.’

 

Metro: Traffic expert cites enforcement plus technology solves holiday traffic rush

Source: Manila Bulletin | Date: October 26, 2018

 

As the Christmas season approaches, traffic management has become a major concern again for both the government and the commuting public. Traffic management and road safety advocate Jason Salvador explains the need for stronger law enforcement and innovative technology to address the expected rise of traffic volume in the coming months. 

Salvador, who is the Managing Director of LEADER (Legal Engagement Advocating Development and Reform) and former Spokesperson for the Land Transportation Office (LTO) says that stronger law enforcement combined with use of digital technology may be key to addressing traffic woes not just during Christmas rush but all throughout the year. He recommends utilizing innovating technology will aid traffic enforcers to a large extent and at the same time will help teach traffic discipline among drivers. 

“Strengthening law enforcement is key but there has to be a system or technology that will aid enforcers because they will not be able to address the large volume of the commuting public everyday. Traffic discipline is also another but by observation, drivers only adopt or practice traffic discipline if they know that there is tight watch,” he emphasizes. 

Salvador, who also led the Global Road Safety Partnership at the Ateneo School of Government previously mentions that no-contact cameras can be very instrumental in traffic management. “One example is the case of Parañaque City, who implements an LGU-driven initiative of using no-contact camera apprehension in their major thoroughfares and have shown significant improvement.” 

Parañaque Traffic and Parking Management Office Chief Ted Barandino cites that they use a state-of-the-art camera technology that captures violators and their plate numbers and later on send a traffic citation notice to those caught on camera. Initially, an average of 50 violators are apprehended everyday when they launched in February of this year and dropped significantly to almost 50 percent after two to three months. “Masasabi nating effective yung no-contact camera kasi makikita mo na bumaba yung dami ng violators. Nadadala din kasi kapag nahuli at nagbayad ng fine. Kapag alam nilang may camera at nahuhuli sila, whether may enforcer o wala, susunod na sila sa batas trapiko. [We can say that the no-contact camera is effective because one can see that the number of violators declined. When drivers are apprehended and penalized they become conscious and responsible afterwards because they do not want to be penalized again. When they are aware that there is a camera system and it is being enforced, they follow traffic laws, whether there is an enforcer or none.” 

Meanwhile, a study by Boston Consulting Group, an independent firm, was released last year warning that the current vehicle growth levels of tier III cities such as Manila are at the risk of reaching standstill levels of congestion of 10km per hour during peak hours by 2022. 

“There is no magic pill solution to address worsening traffic but if the government utilizes technology to strengthen enforcement and instill traffic discipline, we are on the right start. Improving infrastructure also comes hand in hand,” Salvador further emphasized. 

 

Region: CL expressways gear up for big ‘Undas’ volume

By Romeo Dizon | Source: Manila Standard | Date: October 26, 2018

 

SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga—Police and expressway authorities had combined their resources to assure the safety and security of people who will troop to their respective places and cemeteries in the annual Christian observance of All Saints’ Day on Nov. 1. 

The combined mobilization of resources include the fielding of 6,500 police personnel in the cemeteries and the establishment of 124 additional toll booths along the two expressways for the convenience of motorists who will be going home to share the love and memories of their departed relatives on “Undas.” 

Glenn Campos, corporate vice president for Technology and Operation manager of the North Luzon Expressway, said the additional toll booths spread out along the 93.77 kilometers of the Subic Clark Tarlac Expressway and the 84-kilometer NLEX should cut the travel time of the motoring public. 

Campos said they will also be giving pre-encoded transit tickets to motorists coming from the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway entering the SCTEX at the Tarlac toll plaza.

Because of the measures taken by management, the two expressways will be open from 5 pm on Oct. 26 up to 9 am of Nov. 5 for safe and happy motoring of the public, Campos said. 

He added that all ongoing construction along NLEX and SCTEX, mostly construction of new entrances and exits, will be suspended to give way to the motoring public. 

Management also put up signs that read “Safe Trip Mo, Sagot Ko Motorists Camps” along the resting bays located at the SCTEX in Floridablanca, Pampanga and Concepcion in Tarlac for Subic-bound motorists and on for Tarlac bound in Porac, Pampanga and Bamban, Tarlac. 

At the resting bays, motorists can avail of free wifi, bottled water, on-duty mechanics and first responders for emergency purposes, Campos said. 

A limited free towing service for class 1 vehicles from the nearest exists from 6 a.m of Oct. 31 up to 11.59 p.m of Nov. 4. 

For more information on the actual situation or condition of the traffic along the two expressways, the public is urge to monitor the Facebook pages of NLEX and SCTEX. 

Meanwhile, Central Luzon Police Regional Director Supt. Amador Corpus said about 6,500 policemen and other personnel will be deployed starting Saturday in the different cemeteries of the region to protect and serve the public during the observance. 

Corpus said police will also guard transportation terminals from Oct. 27 to Nov. 2, spread out in the six provinces in the area. 

“We will also establish motoring assistance centers and road marshals along main and sub thoroughfare of the region to guarantee the safety of the people during the observance of the All Saint Day in the region,” Corpus said. 

He has directed city and provincial directors of the command to continuously conduct police focused operations and sustain the level of alertness and vigilance to ensure the maximum police presence in all places of convergence including churches to assure the public for a safe Undas 2018. 

The police general also reminded the public to do their share by being wary and alert so as not give the lawless element the opportunity to carry their nefarious activities. 

“We advice the public to report any incident to the nearest police stations throughout the region or call the PNP Hotline with telephone nos. 0999 883 8327 or 0917 623 4700,” Corpus added. 

 

Region: Over 6,000 cops to be deployed in Mimaropa for ‘Undas’

By Madonna T. Virola | Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer | Date: October 26, 2018

 

CITY OF CALAPAN — Some 6,556 policemen and “force multipliers” will be deployed in Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, and Palawan (Mimaropa) to ensure the public’s safety on November 1 and 2 in anticipation of people’s influx to cemeteries to visit departed loved ones. 

Supt. Imelda Tolentino, Mimaropa police information officer, said in a statement that force multipliers include those from peace and order councils like Bantay Bayan and Barangay Peacekeeping Action Team, and civilian volunteers for medical and radio communication. 

Mimaropa police director Chief Supt. Tomas Apolinario Jr. ordered all unit commanders to tighten security in public places like malls, terminals, cemeteries, churches, resorts, “and other areas vulnerable to terrorist hostile activities in coordination with other concerned law enforcement agencies.” 

Safety Marshals will also be deployed in strategic areas along the routes from and to the 178 cemeteries and other areas of convergence. Assistance Hubs along major highways and coordination with volunteer groups will also be established. 

Apolinario appealed to the public to report to the nearest police station any suspicious individuals and baggages left unattended. 

 

Region: PNP: All set for Boracay reopening today

By Alfred P. Dalizon | Source: People’s Journal | Date: October 26, 2018

 

Philippine National Police chief Director General Oscar Albayalde yesterday said all security preparations are in place to secure the entry of thousands of excited tourists into the newly-rehabilitated Boracay Island, with police under orders to strictly enforce environmental laws on solid waste management, air and noise pollution, anti-littering, and protection of flora and fauna.

Joined by top PNP and military officials, the PNP chief welcomed foreign and domestic tourists to the tourism crown jewel of the country as the Metro Boracay Task Force displayed their capability to respond to any situation in the island with a simulation exercise. 

“We have just witnessed a demonstration of the tactical capability of the Metro Boracay Task Force, Joint Task Force SPEAR, with component units from Police Regional Office 6,  the Armed Forces Southern Luzon Command, AFP Central Command and volunteers in a simulated scenario of response to emergency situations that require police intervention and multi-agency government response,” Albayalde said. 

According to the PNP chief, they have completely overhauled security system and peace and order program in the island that will address the perennial issues and concerns they experienced during the previous local tourism operations prior to the six-month rehabilitation work since April. 

“To deal with the anticipated heavy influx of tourist arrivals upon the formal reopening of Boracay Island, we are restructuring the organization of PNP units that will be deployed in the island as well as in mainland Malay, Aklan, with the objective of creating seamless but continguously defined areas of jurisdiction under the Malay Municipal Tourist Police Station manned by 413 police personnel,” he said. 

Albayalde said that the new unit is organized with its own headquarters strategically located within Boracay Island, with frontline police services provided by five sub-stations located in Bgys. Manoc-Manoc, Balabag, and Yapak; and in Caticlan and Poblacion Malay in the mainland. 

The station is provided with tactical maneuverability through its own 122-strong Mobile Police Unit, with both sea and land mobile assets. 

Aklan Police Provincial Office also provides tactical support to Malay MTPS through its 2nd Police Mobile Force Company, said PRO6 director Chief Supt. John Bulalacao. 

The PNP chief said that the Inter-Agency Committee headquarters stationed in the Cagban Port area will provide the point of coordination in the whole-of-government approach to arising situational conditions. 

He said the role of the Malay MTPS is to provide the muscle to enforce all ordinances, rules and regulations implemented by national and local government agencies in Metro Boracay. These include regulations on border control, tourist and resident arrivals, sea and land traffic, resort operations, and environmental protection. 

Albayalde said the daily tourist population in Boracay shall not exceed 6,405, which is the maximum daily tourist capacity set by the Provincial Tourism Office. 

He added that the PNP shall closely coordinate with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment Resources and local government units in enforcing strict environmental laws on solid waste management, air and noise pollution, anti-littering, and protection of flora and fauna.

 

Labor: Metro Manila workers want P1,300 daily pay

By Mayen Jaymalin | Source: The Philippine Star | Date: October 26, 2018 

Metro Manila workers yesterday insisted that they need at least P1,300 daily minimum pay just to survive. 

Workers belonging to the militant Partido ng Manggagawa (PMP) rejected the offer of employers to grant a P20 increase in the daily take-home pay of minimum wage earners in Metro Manila. 

Renato Magtubo, PM chair, said their group conducted a study that showed workers need a monthly budget of at least P39,000 to pay for basic commodities and services. 

Of the P39,000 monthly budget, Magtubo said, 44 percent will be earmarked for food and 56 percent for utilities like electricity, water and cooking gas. 

“Our cost of living study is in fact an underestimation as it does not provide for leisure and recreation, savings or social security which should comprise 10 percent as a standard or for a house help which is a necessity if the government insists that both parents must work to sustain the family,” Magtubo explained. 

Thus, he said, the employers’ offer to increase by P20 the prevailing P512 daily minimum wage in Metro Manila can be considered an insult to the workers. 

“The proposed wage hike of the employers will not make a dent in the daily cost of living estimate of P1,300,” Magtubo pointed out. 

Based on their study, Magtubo said, a family of five in the National Capital Region needs P1,300 daily or P39,000 a month to live decently. 

He said the consultation hearing conducted by the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB) in Metro Manila is obviously just a moro-moro (play) since Labor Secretary Silvestre Bello III already agreed to the P20 pay hike offered by employers. 

“Wage regionalization has been weaponized in the employers’ war to cheapen wages and increase profits. An evaluation of the policy performance of wage regionalization that started in 1989 will show that it has consistently resulted in measly salary hikes that are below inflation rates and disregards economic growth,” Magtubo said. 

The rising inflation rate has eroded nominal wages and despite the stagnation of real wages, Magtubo said workers’ productivity is booming. 

“From 2001 to 2016, labor productivity grew by at least 50 percent, yet real wages did not grow at all. Workers have been denied their fair share in the fruits of production,” he said. 

As this developed, the Associated Labor Unions-Trade Union Congress of the Philippines (ALU-TUCP) said the labor group will not back down on its demand for a hike of P334 in the daily minimum wage. 

“The P20 being offered by ECOP (Employers Confederation of the Philippines) is unacceptable, particularly at this point where prices are high and buying power of wage is falling. 

Such a measly wage increase won’t uplift millions of Metro Manila minimum wage workers now living below poverty,” ALU-TUCP spokesman Alan Tanjusay said. 

The RTWPB in Metro Manila had set a public hearing today on ALU’s pending petition for P334 wage increase. 

 

Weather: Amihan season is here —PAGASA

Source: GMA News | Date: October 26, 2018

 

Expect colder days and nights ahead as the season of Amihan or the Northeast Monsoon is finally here, according to PAGASA on Friday. Amihan is characterized by strong to gale force northeasterly winds prevailing over northern Luzon seaboards. 

PAGASA also observed gradual cooling of surface air temperature over northern Luzon. 

“These meteorological conditions signify that the onset of the Northeast Monsoon has started,” PAGASA said. 

With this, the northeast wind flow is expected to further intensify and become dominant in most parts of the country in the coming days.

  

Weather: Cloudy skies, isolated rainshowers expected over Metro Manila

Source: GMA News | Date: October 26, 2018

 

The northeasterly surface windflow will be affecting northern Luzon on Friday, PAGASA reported in its early morning forecast. 

Meanwhile, the state weather bureau continues its monitoring of Typhoon Yutu, which was located 2,120 kilometers east of central Luzon outside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR). 

Yutu has maximum sustained winds of 180 kilometers per hour near the center with gustiness of up to 220 kph and moving westward at 20 kph. 

With these weather systems, Ilocos Region, Cordillera and Cagayan Valley Region will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rains caused by the northeasterly surface windflow. 

Metro Manila and the rest of the country will have partly cloudy to cloudy skies with isolated rainshowers or thunderstorms brought about by localized thunderstorms. With this, the state weather bureau warns residents that flash floods or landslides are possible occurrences due to severe thunderstorms. 

The coastal water condition in northern Luzon and the eastern sections of central and southern Luzon and of the Visayas will be moderate to occasionally rough while the rest of Luzon and the Visayas and Mindanao will be slight to moderate.

 

Weather:

Synopsis: Northeasterly surface windflow affecting Northern Luzon.

 

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