Friday, October 30

Philippine News on Road Transport (1)

07/31/2009

Philippine Global Road Safety (PGRS)
Source: http://business.inquirer.net/money/topstories/view/20090731-218033/DOTC-top-firms-fund-road-safety-firm

The Philippine Global Road Safety (PGRS), a nonstock, nonprofit organization that aims to address global and local road safety issues was put up by the DOTC and a number of private firms.

The member firms include Automotive Association of the Philippines; Chamber of Automotive Manufacturers of the Philippines Inc.; Ford Group Philippines; Independent Philippine Petroleum Companies Association; Motorcycle Development Program Participants Association; Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.; Pilipinas Shell Petroleum Corp.; Tollway Association of the Philippines, and Truck Manufacturers Association which have donated P1 million each for the organization's seed fund.

Tuesday, October 27

PALexpress Experience from Manila to Tuguegarao

Last Saturday, 24 October 2009, I traveled back home to Tuguegarao for semester break. The journey was one of my memorable trips because that was my first time to ride an airplane in going home. For the past six years, I usually travel by bus wherein the trip takes about 12 hours. Now, let me share how i got into this new exciting trip.

Purchase of Ticket. PAL posted an airfare promo in Philippine Daily Inquirer on the second week of August. I immediately grabbed the chance to book a very cheap round trip flight Manila-Tuguegarao-Manila. The total airfare was P1,592. If this amount is compared to a de luxe bus fare which costs P700 or a total of P1,400 for round trip, thus, airfare is relatively cheap and acceptable.

Other Benefits of Air Travel. Air travel time from Manila to Tuguegarao is only one hour while bus travel time is 12 hours. In air travel though there is actually some required added waiting time which is about two hours before boarding. The total of three hours for air travel is still shorter than when traveling by bus.

During the date of departure, I left Diliman, Quezon City around 6:30 am and arrived at NAIA Terminal 3 around 8:00 am. Too early for actual time of departure at 10:30 am. I think I was so excited to go home. Then, I waited patiently for the check-in and boarding.

At exactly 11:15 am, the plane took off the runway. The aircraft was Bombardier Q400 type of airplane, a 76-seater that has turboprop engines. This type of aircraft is smaller than the airbus type I have flown with and its movements can easily be felt by passengers. As the plane flew up above the sky, I saw the aerial view of Manila Bay, the cottony and fluffy clouds, and very bright sky. Though engines were blaring noisily, a seat mate who is an OFW engaged me in small talk and my iPod played my favorite songs definitely made the trip enjoyable.

Around 11:30 am, the co-pilot announced that the plane is already above Cabanatuan City. Then, the noisy engines and small talk continued. I was unmindful of the time until the crew announced that the plane was nearing the approach of Tuguegarao airport. Then, I felt the plane turning, passing above the riverside area, Tanza-Balzain Junction, Jollibee Tanza, Brickstone Mall, and residential areas. At 12:15 pm, the plane finally landed in Tuguegarao City.

Two thumbs up for the trip! I might get used to this mode of transport in going home to my home province. How about you? What can you share about your new trip or latest adventure? You can share by commenting below.

Update:Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2009 11:11 PM Pacific Time

Monday, October 26

CARS in the Philippines

Most Filipinos living in the city opted to have their own vehicle. Possession of a car or any vehicle for private use provides convenience when doing trips from home to school, work, business, and other purposes than relying on public modes of transport only.

For first time workers and earning individuals, their common question is: what car or model will I invest in? It would be best then to provide list of available automobile companies in the Philippines. To aide you, dear readers, here is the list of automobile companies including their latest models and price range. This will surely help you in deciding and considering several options when buying your brand new car.


Japanese Cars

Honda Cars Philippines
Models: Honda City, Honda Jazz, Honda Civic, Honda CR-V
Price Range: 680k - 1,500k

Isuzu Cars Philippines
Models: Crosswind, D-Max, Alterra, N-Series, NHR-PV, F-Series, Buses
Price Range: Contact the company for price quotations

Mazda Cars Philippines
Models: Mazda3, Mazda6, MX-5, CX-9, BT-50 (Sports series)
Price Range:

Mitsubishi Cars Philippines
Models: Lancer 1.6, Lancer EX 2.0, Lancer Evo X, Galant 2.4 SE AT, Grandis, Eclipse GT 3.8L V6 AT, Adventure GX/GLX/GLS
Price Range: 680k - 2,500k

Nissan Cars Philippines
Models: Sentra, Teana, 350Z, Murano, Serena, X-trail, Grand Livina
Price Range:

Subaru Cars Philippines
Models: Tribeca, Forester, Impreza, Impreza Sedan
Price Range: 1,150k - 2,800k (inclusive of insurance)

Suzuki Cars Philippines
Models: Alto, Celerio, Jimny, Swift, SX4, APV TypeII, Grand Vitara
Price Range:

Toyota Cars Philippines
Models: AVANZA, CAMRY, COROLLA ALTIS, FORTUNER, HIACE, INNOVA, Land Cruiser, PREVIA, Prius, RAV4, VIOS, Yaris
Price Range: 600k - 3,600k


European Cars

Audi Cars Philippines
Models: A3, A4, A5, A6, Q5, Q7, R8, TT
Price Range:

BMW Cars Philippines
Models: BMW 1, BMW 3, BMW 5, BMW 6, BMW 7, BMW X3, BMW X5, BMW X6, BMW Z4, BMW M
Price Range:

Porsche Cars Philippines
Models: Boxster, Cayman, 911, Panamera, Cayenne
Price Range:

Volvo Cars Philippines
Models: S40, S60, S80, V50, XC60, XC70, XC90, C30
Price Range:


Korean Cars

Hyundai Cars Philippines
Models: i10 1.1 GL MT, i10 1.2 GLS MT, i30 1.6, Getz GL 1.5 CRDi MT, Accent GLS 1.5 CRDi MT, Genesis 3.8 V6 GLS AT, Genesis Coupe 3.8 V6 GLS 6AT, Genesis Coupe 3.8 V6 GLS 6MT, Genesis Coupe 2.0 Turbo GLS 5AT, Elantra GLS 1.6 CRDi MT, Sonata GLS 2.4 AT, Azera GLS 3.3 AT
Price Range: 480k - 3,000k

Kia Cars Philippines
Models:
Price Range:



You can also research on these sites:
www.hondaphil.com
www.isuzuphil.com
www.mazda.com.ph
www.mitsubishi-motors.com.ph
www.nissan.com.ph
www.motorimage.net/PH
www.suzuki.com.ph
www.toyota.com.ph
www.audi.ph
www.bmw.com.ph
www.landroverphils.com
www.mercedes-benz.com.ph
www.porsche.com/pap/_philippines_/aboutporsche/importers/dealer/
www.volvocars.com/ph
www.myhyundai.com.ph
www.kia.com.ph

Sunday, October 25

Traffic Signs

Are you a true motorist? Then you should know by heart the different traffic or road signs. These signs are posted at the sides of roads to provide information and guide motorists.

Most traffic signs in the Philippines follow the Vienna Convention except for the MMDA's pink colored road signs.

So, what are the different traffic signs?

Regulatory Signs

  1. Stop

  2. Yield

  3. Speed Limit

  4. No right/left turn

  5. No U-turn

  6. Right/Left turn or Straight through only

  7. Bus Lane

  8. Bike Lane

  9. Do NOT Enter

  10. No Tricycles/ Pedicab



Warning Signs

  1. Turn/Curve Ahead

  2. Intersection

  3. Pavement condition

  4. Railroad/Light Rail

  5. Speed Humps



Guide Signs

  1. Destination and Distance

  2. Expressway

  3. Road Work Information



It is important to know and understand what these signs mean for your safety.

**To view some traffic signs, click PICTURES OF ROAD TRAFFIC SIGNS.

Saturday, October 24

Philippine Government Agencies on Transportation

Looking for Philippine Government Agencies on Transportation? Hope I can help you guys, you are probably searching gov't agencies that are related to Philippine Transportation.

Howdy reader and follower of my blog "Transportation Engineering Philippines", welcome here.

There are several key gov't offices that you need to know!

The very first one is the Department of Transportation and Communications (or DOTC).

The second one you need to know is the Department of Public Works and Highways!

The DOTC is responsible on the road maintenance of the Philippines as well as for expansion of roads, efficiency of roads, easiness of transportation and communications through-out our country with effective systems. This can help our country to cope immediately in times of disaster management or national recovery and for future economic progress.

The DOTC is the head of other departments. The services of DOTC covers road transpo, railway, air transportation, plus water management and communication areas.

There are 14 attached agencies to DOTC, from gov't owned corporations to private corporations plus 4 other offices.

Civil Aviation or Air Transpo

Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP)
Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA)
Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB)
Mactan-Cebu International Airport Authority (MCIAA)
Philippine Aerospace Development Corporation (PADC)

Maritime or Water Transport

Philippine Ports Authority (PPA)
Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA)
Philippine Coast Guard (PCG)
Cebu Ports Authority (CPA)
Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA)

Road Management and Transport

Land Transportation Office (LTO)
Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB)
Toll Regulatory Board (TRB)
Office of Transport Cooperative (OTC)

Philippine Railways

Philippine National Railways (PNR)
Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA)
Metro Rail Transit (MRT)

Tele-Communications Sector

Telecommunications Office (TELOF)
National Telecommunications Office (NTC)

Does this information helpful to you? You can check DOTC's official site http://www.dotc.gov.ph for their latest updates and other info or for more resources!


Department of Public Works and Highways or known as DPWH, is part of the executive department under the government of the Philippines. This branch of the gov't is responsible for all projects in the field of public works and highways. DPWH is also in-charge of the maintenance of the Philippine road systems and irrigation works.

Ps. Reigna