News Rundown: October 9-13, 2017

Here are some of the news that you need to know this week. Be informed and get to know the Philippines more through these relevant news stories which are good to know for expats from pitching the Skytrain to the resignation of Comelec Chairman that happened in the country. We’ve listed down some news that will mirror the true Filipino Experience.

Alliance Global diversifies to infrastructure, pitches “Skytrain”

IMAGE Alliance Global Group Inc.

Alliance Global Group Inc. proposed its new project that will benefit about 60,000 to 100,000 passengers daily through the Skytrain. Skytrain is a 2-km monorail project that will link Fort Bonifacio to the MRT Guadalupe Station. Under the proposal,  a station will be built in Guadalupe, Makati near the MRT station and another in Uptown Bonifacio. “The project, which will utilize the automated cable-propelled monorail technology, will reduce travel time from Fort to MRT Guadalupe to only five minutes,” AGI said.

Once the proposal is approved, it will take three long years to finally complete the project. Funding of the project will be internally-generated as part of Alliance Global Group Inc.’s existing capital expenditure (CAPEX) program. Aside from the proposal of the Skytrain project, Infracorp- a new company under the Alliance Global Group Inc. that will manage infrastructure projects through participation in the government’s Private-Public Partnership projects also aims to develop other projects focusing on the development of infrastructures in the country.

 

Philippine eSports players are now officially declared athletes. 

IMAGE Facebook post of Ronnel Tan, an e-Sports athlete

 eSports players are now officially declared as athletes in the Philippines after the Gaming and Amusements Board (GAB) under the Duterte administration allowed the securing of professional athletic licenses. This move was done after e-sports has been accepted and recognized throughout the country. In addition, the GAB also declared these players as athletes as they also compete in international competitions like The International for Defense of the Ancients (DotA 2).

Gamers who want to apply for a license need to be vouched for by professional gaming teams. They also need to pay a small fee for the license while the GAB looks into their track record. Applicants will also have to undergo a mandatory, on-the-spot drug test. But more than the recognition, the GAB will also investigate allegations of wrongdoing and game-fixing in e-sports, aside from mandating, regulating, and supervise professional sports in the country.

 

Metro Manila Council suspends classes on November 16 and 17 due to ASEAN Summit 

The 31st ASEAN is the second international summit of heads of government to be hosted by the Philippines under the Duterte administration happening on November 10-14, 2017 at Clark Air Base, Pampanga.

The Metro Manila Council had already declared that there will be no classes in all levels of both public and private schools on November 16-17, 2017 in accordance with the celebration of the ASEAN Summit. The suspension of work however will come from Malacañang, but there are no announcements yet regarding this said suspension. In addition, there’s no word yet from the Palace if November 13-15 will be declared as non-working holidays in NCR and in other parts of the country.

 

Philippine Airlines (PAL) to launch Clark-Virac route starting December 15, 2017

Starting December 15, 2017, Philippine Airlines will be launching direct flights from Clark Pampanga to Virac Catanduanes, connecting cenral Luzon and southern Luzon while achieving a hassle-free trip.

The new route offered by the Philippine Airlines will take place three times a week. The new route will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, leaving the Clark International Airport at around 6 am and will be arriving at the Virac Airport at 7:30 am.  Returning flights from Virac, Catanduanes to Clark Pampanga will leave at 8 am and will arrive at 9:30 am.  Aside from this new route, Philippine Airlines will also offer direct flights Clark, Pampanga to Bacolod, Cagayan, Davao, and Tagbilaran this coming month of December, 2017.

 

Comelec Chairman Andres Bautista Resigns

IMAGE Andy Bautista’s Twitter account: @ChairAndyBau

Last October 11, 2017, Comelec Chair Andres Bautista announced that he will be resigning from the position of being the chairman of the Comelec at the near end of 2017.

His resignation has been filed and will take effect on December 31, 2017, though the Comelec en banc has yet to receive his resignation. In his letter, he cites the need to look after his family and the postponement of the Barangay and SK Elections until May 2018 as his reasons for stepping down as Comelec chair. Bautista served as the Comelec chairman for more than two years.