Photo Credit: conceptnewscentral.com

National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) has lined up an array of big projects to improve the country’s transmission networks and build on a unified, nationwide system that is expected to be ready by 2020.

Foremost of the new projects are a grid reinforcement project in Bataan and the Western Luzon 500-kilovolt backbone project for Luzon, a 230-kv backbone project for Mindanao, as well as a program to make substations in the Visayas more reliable and the Cebu-Negros-Panay Interconnection Project.

These are part of NGCP’s proposed Transmission Development Plan (TDP) 2019-2040 that lists proposed infrastructure projects for the next six years, or until 2025.

NGCP proposes 47 projects for Luzon, 29 for Visayas and 12 for Mindanao for a total of 88 projects.

These are on top of 68 projects already approved by the Energy Regulatory Commission—but still for implementation—including 24 for Luzon, 13 for Visayas and 11 for Mindanao.

“As the Philippine economy continues to grow,
so must we in the power sector continue to develop our infrastructure in order to cater to an ever-expanding network,” NGCP said in a statement.

“As NGCP is in a unique position to balance the supply and demand, the [TDP] is imperative in supporting the growth of the entire industry,” the company said.

In Luzon, NGCP’s grid development plan is driven by large capacity coal-fired and natural gas power plants that are being built in Batangas, Quezon, Bataan and Zambales.

To improve reliability of supply, NGCP wants to build the first 500-kv transmission system for bulk power delivery within Metro Manila and three additional 230-kv drawdown substations.

NGCP’s long-term plan includes the development of a 500-kv backbone extension both in the western and eastern side of northern Luzon that will serve as a power generation highway.

Source: business.inquirer.net/a>

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One of the TC-90 patrol aircraft donated by Japan to the Armed Forces sits on the tarmac.

The Philippine Navy will start deploying this week one of five patrol aircraft donated last year by the Japanese government.

Tools, spare parts

On Tuesday, the Philippine Air Force (PAF) will formally receive Bell UH-1 helicopter spare parts and maintenance equipment from Japan.

On Monday, the Philippine Navy will activate one of the five Beechcraft King Air C-90 aircraft donated by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

Philippine Navy spokesperson Lt. Sahirul Taib said the activation of the C-90 aircraft would be held on Monday at the Naval Air Group headquarters in Sangley Point, Cavite City.

Taib said the C-90 was donated by the JMSDF to the Philippines and included the equipment, tools and spare parts necessary to service the aircraft.

Initially leased

Japan would also provide training for the pilots and maintenance crew of the aircraft.

The five C-90 aircraft were initially leased to the Philippines for $28,000 annually under a five-year agreement between Japan and the Philippines for use in maritime patrols.

But when the delivery of the aircraft was completed in March 2018, the Japanese government opted to donate them instead under a grant agreement between the two countries’ defense ministers.

Turboprop plane

The C-90 is a medium turboprop plane with a seating capacity for five persons and has a maximum range of 1,623.83 kilometers and speed of 391.07 kilometers per hour.

On Tuesday, UH-1 helicopter spare parts and maintenance equipment will be formally turned over by the Japanese Ministry of Defense to the PAF in ceremonies at Air Force City in Clark Air Base, Pampanga province.

“The items will be very much useful to PAF units with UH-1 helicopters such as the 505th Search and Rescue Group and the 205th Tactical Helicopter Wing that conduct humanitarian assistance, disaster response and airlift operations,” according to PAF spokesperson Maj. Aristides Galang.

Spare parts for Huey

The assorted spare parts are for Bell UH-1 Iroquois, or Huey helicopters, which were offered by the Japanese government in 2017 to help keep the Philippine choppers flying.

The Japan Ground Self-Defense Force is replacing its fleet of UH-1 helicopters and will no longer need the spare parts.

Source: newsinfo.inquirer.net

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PROPERTY giant Vista Land & Lifescapes (VLL) has launched an ambitious plan to build condominiums based on the successful template of Camella Homes.

Moreover, this development signifies that domestic and foreign travelers will have more lodging options.

In a recent press briefing, VLL Camella Condo Homes (COHO) Chairman Manuel B. Villar Jr. said the company expects the formula to catapult COHO into becoming a market leader in the affordable-housing segment. “We are now ready to compete with the big boys in the condominium sector.”

“We’ve been successful in perfecting the Camella brand. Unless you go outside Metro Manila, you can’t see the Camella condominium projects. Provincial areas are now ready for condominiums at this time,” Villar added.

Under its COHO brand, Camella is not pulling punches as it plans to put up 32 condominiums in 25 cities around the country. Villar also pointed out that this was just the start of the grandiose plan of the company. “We feel that we are now ready to introduce COHO in a big way.” He said VLL would be launching COHO at the same time with its horizontal development projects. “We are going to apply the tried and tested Camella formula,” he pointed out.

Units in COHO come in 30-square-meter one-bedroom unit and 40-sq-m two-bedroom unit with prices ranging from P2.4 million to P3.3 million. COHO is perfect for young urban professionals and starting families who desire dynamic city living.

The 25 areas covered by COHO are Taguig, Las Piñas, Caloocan, Subic, Bataan, Pampanga, Baliuag, Antipolo, Bacoor, Imus, Tagaytay, Lipa, Palawan, Legazpi, Bacolod, Iloilo, Mactan, Cebu; Talisay, Cebu, Bohol, Dumaguete, Cagayan de Oro, Davao City, Tagum, General Santos and Butuan.

Villar said VLL could raise the ante by building up to 150 buildings. But he said the company is taking one step at a time.

The projects will be complemented by either a Vista Mall or commercial strip featuring brands from VLL affiliate All Value Holdings, such as Coffee Project, Bake My Day, All Day Supermarket, All Home and Vista Cinemas.

At present, there are already 14 existing developments under COHO’s portfolio in Luzon, the Visayas and Mindanao.

With a track record of more than 40 years in residential real-estate development, Villar said Camella has developed into a strong brand in the industry.

VLL defines COHO as the epitome of a vertical village. By living in COHO, Villar said an owner could experience tranquility and the relaxing vibe of a suburban community that is sprawling, surrounded by greenery. Moreover, COHO offers generous open space to provide the busy city-dweller with an environment that promotes well-being and is conducive for nurturing a family.

Unit owners get to enjoy the perks of having a complete range of central amenities: a clubhouse, swimming pool, function hall, landscaped gardens, jogging paths and a fitness gym with modern equipment.

Villar said COHO offers the same quality that has made Camella the leading and preferred brand for horizontal developments—excellent location, safety and security, value for money, and a smart investment.

Meanwhile, COHO, according to Villar, offers the distinct and new-generation lifestyle and modern experience. This means living an owner is living close to a beautiful mall that offers global retail selections. Through Coffee Project, a resident has an exquisite coffee shop as an extension of one’s living and working space and breakfast table in a charming boulangerie. Villar said Coffee Project would give a customer his money’s worth because of its superb coffee and beverages; it also serves a wide variety of scrumptious food like pasta, rice meals, cake and sandwiches. Its exceptional interiors complemented by aesthetically arranged flowers and greens have earned for itself “the most Instagram-worthy” coffee shop tag.

Villar said COHO also takes pride in having a world-class cinema as an entertainment room. Vista Cinemas have the MX4D technology that enables a viewer to “feel” the movie’s motions, jolts, pokes, wind, water and even scents. Moreover, its VIP Theater is an intimate movie venue specializing in excellent personalized service.

“We want to bring the new lifestyle into the region not just for condominium dwellers but on a nationwide basis,” he said.

“We also want to raise the level of retail in the Philippines.”

Source: businessmirror.com.ph

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SUBIC FREEPORT — The Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), in cooperation with its other partner government agencies, has gathered local government officials and businessmen in Central Luzon to present updates on infrastructure projects more than two years since the “Build Build Build” program was launched.

Officials of BCDA, Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA), and the Authority of the Freeport Area of Bataan (AFAB) shared with stakeholders the major projects that seek to improve connectivity within the region, attract investments, create jobs, and push economic growth.

The series of roadshows were launched in 2016 also to highlight the importance of cooperation among the national, provincial, and municipal and governments as well as the business sector to achieve the vision of President Duterte to bring the “golden age” of infrastructure.

This year, the roadshow was expanded to cover Subic and Bataan.

SBMA chairman and administrator Wilma Eisma introduced the projects lined up for Subic in the coming years including the Subic Bay Freeport Grain Terminal, Redondo Industrial Park Development, and the SBMA Waterfront Reclamation Project, among others.

Eisma urged businessmen to invest in new ports in Subic.

“We need new ports. It doesn’t even have to be a cruise ship terminal. Right now, we are already experiencing congestion. Manila is congested. We have to have that foresight in place. Build a port somewhere,” she said.

For his part, CDC president Noel Manankil cited Clark and Subic’s cooperation to promote tourism and attract investments in Central Luzon.

“Thanks to the SBMA leadership, they are sending us a lot of tourists,” said Manankil.

Clark’s tourism assets include the Marriott Hotel, the first five-star hotel in Pampanga; the Sun Valley Golf Course; and the Aqua Planet theme park.

Several ongoing projects within the Clark Freeport are the Hilton Hotel, The Sharp condominium units, Mirej Clark, Mimosa Plus, and the Clark Safari.

Clark is also expected to attract more domestic and international tourists with the ongoing expansion of the Clark International Airport.

CIAC acting president Jaime Alberto Melo, said the new terminal building will be operational by the second quarter of 2020.

Upon full development, the Clark International Airport will be able to accommodate 80 million passengers per year.

BCDA president Vince Dizon showed updates on the construction of the National Government Administrative Center (NGAC) in New Clark City.

The NGAC project involves the development of back-up government offices to ensure continuous business operations in case of disaster or national calamities.

Dizon also presented the world-class facilities to be used for the Philippines’ hosting of the 30th South East Asian Games.

“Under the leadership of President Duterte, we are not just planning it; we are making it,” said Dizon.

The construction of NGAC Phase 1A is ahead of schedule at 55 percent.

AFAB Chairman and Administrator Emmanuel Pineda meanwhile urged business leaders to invest at the Bataan Freeport.

He bared efforts to improve accessibility and develop more investment areas. “We want to make the Freeport a work-and-play destination,” said Pineda.

Aurelio “Bong” Pineda, former president of the Metro Olongapo Chamber of Commerce, committed the support of the private sector.

Speaking for the business community, Pineda said they accept the challenge that was given to them and they feel that it can be done, and the dreams can be realized.

Source: sunstar.com.ph

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Photo Credit: rmpconsultancy.com

JAPANESE technology firm Sanyo Denki Philippines, Inc. has opened a research and product development center in Subic Bay Freeport.

The firm, which produces cooling, power and servo systems at its factories in the Subic Techno Park here inaugurated the Sanyo Denki Technology Center (SDP-TC) last week, an expansion project for the company that was established here in 2000.

Wilma Eisma, Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) chairman and administrator, graced the inauguration, remarked that Sanyo Denki’s new project that “will bring the future to Subic.”

“The technology transfer would again put the Filipino workers on top of their game, so aside from the fact that Sanyo Denki would be hiring more locals, Subic would also benefit a lot from this undertaking,” she added.

Sanyo Denki Philippines (SDP) chief executive officer and president Koichi Uchibori said SDP-TC will serve as the hub of product development for the Sanyo Denki Group of Companies here in the Philippines.

“From now on, Sanyo Denki Philippines, will be developing high performance and high-quality products- the much-needed parts of the costumers around the world,” he continued.

SDP senior executive operating officer Kauro Tamura said the SDP-TC will consolidate the technology development base for its three design departments.

Sanyo Denki Philippines, Inc. is the production site for cooling, power, and servo systems of Sanyo Denki Co. Ltd., a global technology company that started out in Tokyo in 1932 with a factory for the production of small AC/DC generators and power units for communications equipment.

Its Subic operations include highly efficient automated production lines such as the surface mount technology (SMT), and a department for developing and designing cooling fans.

SDP design division supervisor Michiro Watanabe explained that Sanyo Denki’s efforts to enhance its operations in Subic has resulted in the establishment of the SDP-TC, which is the third building it has put up since 2000.

He said that the new facility will now house the consolidated design department for fan design, servo design, and power design.

“This comfortable work space will allow us to go on with the business, with the combined efforts of the Japanese management and the Filipino staff, to deliver world-class products with higher performance and higher quality,” Watanabe also said.

Source: sunstar.com.ph

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