Latest news with #BBMPodcast
The Star
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Public transportation will be better by the end of 2025, says Marcos
This file photo taken on October 2022 shows long lines of commuters forming at the Ortigas Station of MRT 3 while the signaling system glitch was being fixed. - Courtesy of Cha Padilla via PDI/ANN MANILA: President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. told Filipino commuters that they can expect improved public transportation in late 2025. He said this is due to the scheduled completion of some phases of the government's big-ticket infrastructure projects in the transportation sector. In Part 3 of the BBM Podcast: Episode 2, uploaded on his social media accounts on Friday (June 20), Marcos was asked when commuters can expect relief from the daily ordeal of public commuting. He responded by expressing sympathy for their struggles, saying that he, along with his friends and family, had also experienced firsthand the inconvenience of the country's public transport system. 'I've felt that. One time, we rode the MRT, and once you get inside, if your hand ends up here, you won't be able to move it anymore,' he recalled, gesturing how cramped it is inside the trains. 'I was talking with the passengers. One of them said, 'Sir, it's really like this every day.' I know—it's extremely hot and very crowded,' he said. The Marcos administration is implementing some measures meant to benefit commuters. These projects include the '1 plus 3 promo' in the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 and Light Rail Transit Lines 1 and 2 every Sunday, as well as a 50 per cent fare discount for students. Marcos emphasised that the government is also focused on long-term solutions through major infrastructure projects, including the Metro Manila Subway and MRT-7. 'We will start to see the completion of some of the phases by late this year, next year,' Marcos said. The MRT Line 7 is expected to begin trial runs by the end of the year, according to its operator, San Miguel Corporation. Meanwhile, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said last Tuesday that they are making progress in securing the right-of-way to be able to push through with the construction of the Metro Manila Subway Project. He had also revealed plans to build another station of the LRT 1 in Bacoor to cater to more passengers as the government seeks to extend the railway to Cavite by 2030. - Philippine Daily Inquirer/ANN
GMA Network
10 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos on solving problems: Fix it, not the blame
''Fix the problem, not the blame.'' This was President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr.'s guiding principle when solving the country's problems. Marcos stressed that immediate action should always take precedence over finger-pointing in solving problems. The President was talking about the power crisis in Siquijor province, wherein residents endured prolonged blackouts 'I've always approached 'yung mga problemang ganito, mayroon lang ako laging in my head na sinasabi, ang una mong reaksyon: Fix the problem, not the blame,' Marcos said at the BBM Podcast released on Friday. (I've always approached this kind of problem with this: Fix the problem, not the blame.) 'Kasi nga sabi, 'sinong dapat mananagot diyan? sinong ganyan?' O sige, that will – pero ayusin muna natin 'yung problema,' he added. (Who should be held accountable? Let's fix the problem first.) On June 14, the National Electrification Administration (NEA) restored stable electricity in Siquijor, ending several days of rotating brownouts that affected thousands of families, businesses, and schools. Marcos also gave authorities six months to permanently resolve the power supply issue, which included a review of the operations of the Siquijor Island Power Corporation (SIPCOR). —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
11 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
'Not the first time': Marcos says he and his family often use MRT-3
President Ferdinand ''Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. on Friday said that he and his family often ride the MRT-3 together and that his ride last June 1 was "not the first time." ''First of all, hindi 'to first time na sumakay ako ng MRT, madalas namin gamitin 'yung MRT dahil sa traffic. Mas mabilis eh. Kami... pamilya ko, mga kaibigan ko. Hindi practical matraffic, magdadalawang oras ka hanggang Cubao,'' Marcos said in the BBM Podcast. (First of all, it was not my first time to ride the MRT. We often use the MRT because of the traffic. It's faster. I, my family, and my friends ride the MRT. The traffic is not practical, it's often two hours to get to Cubao.) He also shared that he often talks to commuters, and they told him about the usual crowded situation inside the train, adding that he personally experienced the challenge of commuting using the MRT-3. ''Naramdaman ko 'yan, minsan sumakay kami ng MRT, talagang pag nakapasok ka na, basta't 'yung kamay mo nandito, hindi mo na magagalaw 'yun. Nakadikit ka na dito. Kinakausap ko mga pasahero, 'Sir, ganyan talaga 'yan araw-araw,''' the President added. (I experienced that, one time we used the MRT and once you enter and place your hands here, you can no longer move. I often talk to passengers, and they tell me the situation is like that every day.) Marcos earlier announced the Family/Pamilya Pass 1+3 program, which was made in honor of Family Day and to celebrate Filipino families. In this program, families or barkadas of four members only need to pay for one passenger to ride the MRT-3, LRT-2 and LRT-1 every Sunday starting on June 1, 2025. Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation has announced the increased discount for all students from 20% to 50% for LRT-1, LRT-2, and MRT-3 starting Friday. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos backs NCAP: That lessens corruption
President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. has expressed support for the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), saying it helps reduce corruption involving law enforcers and motorists. "In principle, agree ako diyan sa no contact. Agree ako diyan, magandang layunin niyan. Ang layunin niyan is 'yung traffic ano, masundan 'yung rules of the road na 'di tayo kung anu-ano 'yung ginagawa natin," Marcos said during an episode of the BBM Podcast on Friday. (In principle, I agree with the no contact policy. Its goal is laudable. It aims to ensure that the rules of the road are followed, while doing away with all sorts of other acts.) "Bawas 'yan sa korapsyon (That lessens corruption)," Marcos added. Contrary to the view of critics of the policy, Marcos said the NCAP would ensure that extortion will no longer be practiced. "Para sa akin it will be the opposite… Ito it will be based solely kung ano 'yung nasa picture. Magbabayad siya ng multa, hindi binibigay sa kahit kaninong tao, it's straight to the system," Marcos said. (It will be the opposite. It will be based solely on what's in the picture. They will pay penalties, which will go straight to the system.) The NCAP uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras, and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images of vehicles violating traffic laws. Under the policy, violators can pay fines online or at the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) office. They can also contest their supposed violations caught under the NCAP. The NCAP was resumed after the Supreme Court partially lifted the temporary restraining order against the policy, allowing only the MMDA to implement it. — VDV, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
13 hours ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Marcos wants 12 tons load capacity in San Juanico by December 2025
President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr. said Friday that he wants to increase the load limits of San Juanico Bridge to 12 tons by December this year. 'Ang schedule namin dapat by December, before the end of the year, ang pwede ng gamitin na sasakyan hanggang 12 tons,' Marcos said during an episode of BBM Podcast. (Our schedule is that by December, before the end of the year, vehicles up to 12 tons can be allowed.) 'That's a test, sabi ko pag hindi niyo natapos 'yan, tatanggapin ko 'yung resignation ninyo,' Marcos warned. (That's a test, if you don't finish that, I'll accept your resignation.) The President apologized to the residents in Samar and Leyte who were affected by the rehabilitation, saying that the government wants to ensure their safety. 'Well sorry na nangyari ito, alam ko 'yung nararanasan ninyo, nararanasan ng ating mga transport operators, nararanasan ng ating mga negosyante,' Marcos said. (I'm sorry that this happened, I know your experience, the experiences of our transport operators and businessmen.) 'Kaya asahan ninyo minamadali namin na maayos kaagad ito,' he added. (I assure you that we are doing everything to immediately address this.) In May, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan said that the present load limits of San Juanico Bridge amid its rehabilitation might be increased in the next months. He said the increase in the load limits could be implemented in the last quarter of this year. Bonoan added that the full capacity of the existing San Juanico Bridge would be undertaken ''as soon as the new bridge is actually constructed.'' According to the DPWH, the recent assessment raised concerns about San Juanico Bridge's structural integrity. It temporarily prohibited vehicles weighing more than three tons from crossing the 2.16-kilometer bridge. Built in 1969 and completed in 1973, San Juanico Bridge is the third longest bridge spanning a body of seawater in the Philippines, connecting the islands of Samar and Leyte. It was a project of the late President Ferdinand Marcos Sr. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
