Bike on Train

I came across this very interesting article in PDI dated December 8.

The article says LRT Lines 1 and 2 now allow bikers to bring their folding bikes on train. This is recently LRT's "Bike-on Bike-off" project.

This project will surely help promote the use of non-motorized transport. It will cut travel time for bikers and minimize traffic accidents. Way to go!

Buses Going North - Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, Cagayan

Do you want to travel up north and see Nueva Vizcaya, Isabela, and Cagayan? There are several bus companies that provide transportation services from Metro Manila to as far as Cagayan. These include Victory Liner, Baliwag Transit, Florida, EMC, and Dalin Liner.

I studied and stayed in QC since 2003 but I go home to my province - Cagayan every opportune time allows me to spend time with family. Thus, for frequent trip maker like me I prefer to ride the Victory Liner bus. The Victory Liner company employs experienced drivers who are courteous and ensures safe travel. I wouldn't go into detail like comparing it to other buses.

You can easily access their terminal along EDSA in Kamias, Quezon City. They have daily trips leaving almost every 30 minutes.

The total travel time from Manila to Tuguegarao is about 12 hours. There are three to four stopovers depending on the time of your travel or the bus drivers. Fare ranges from 500 to 700 as stated in their website. However, i think their website is not updated since fares currently range from 600 to 800. (For their daily schedule and fares, you can check this: http://www.victoryliner.com/tripschedules3.htm)

Both day time and night travel is good at least for me who is used to this long trips. When you travel during day time, you get to see green, green, and green scenery of farmlands that is relaxing to your eyes. On the other hand, night travel has also its advantage - that you sleep during the entire travel and arrive in Tugeugarao as you wake up. For night travelers though, an important thing to bring is a thick jacket or a blanket to cover yourself from extreme cold aircon.

Have a safe trip!

New MMDA Chairman

Former Quezon City Judge Oscar Inocentes have taken over Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chair post. He presided following the order by Malacanang dated December 1.

Though there were side comments regarding this story since former MMDA Chair Bayani Fernando have not yet submitted his resignation letter when Inocentes went to the MMDA Office and assumed his post. Bayani Fernando is now among the Vice President aspirants in the coming 2010 national elections.

Reports have quoted Inocentes saying that he will finish the ongoing projects of MMDA and reevaluate existing and future projects. Moreover, he will do more talk (that is, to engage illegal vendors along sidewalks into dialogues before any forceful eviction) and lesser force in implementing rules.

The public hopes that the newly appointed MMDA Chair would do his job excellently not forgetting that there are engineering principles and studies to solve Metro Manila's problem on traffic congestion.

Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 (NAIA 3)

NAIA 3 PHOTOS

The Philippine government approved the construction of Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 3 or NAIA-3 in 1997 and scheduled to be completed in 2002. However, the terminal became fully operational in mid-2008 only after delays caused by several technical and legal issues.

NAIA-3 is the newest and biggest terminal of NAIA. Currently, the Cebu Pacific Airlines (domestic and some international flights), Air Philippines and PAL Express use this terminal.

Cebu Pacific
Destinations: Bacolod, Bangkok-Suvarnabhumi, Busuanga, Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Calbayog, Catarman, Cauayan, Cebu, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Guangzhou, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Iloilo, Jakarta, Kalibo, Kota Kinabalu, Kuala Lumpur, Laoag, Legazpi, Macau, Naga, Osaka-Kansai, Ozamiz, Puerto Princesa, Roxas City, San Jose (Mindoro), Seoul-Incheon, Shanghai-Pudong, Singapore, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Taipei-Taoyuan, Tuguegarao, Virac, Zamboanga

PAL Express (operated by Air Philippines)
Destinations: Busuanga, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan [begins December 1], Ormoc, Naga, San Jose (Mindoro), Surigao, Tuguegarao, Virac