QUEZON CITY, Philippines – Female passengers of Pasig River Ferry Service will be granted free rides on March 8, Friday, in line with the celebration of the National Women’s month, the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) announced on its official twitter account last Friday (March 2).

Female visitors of Casa Manila Museum, Baluarte de San Diego and Fort Santiago in Intramuros, Manila will also get free admission in support of the celebration, the Intramuros administration said Friday.

The National Women’s Month is celebrated every March, pursuant to Proclamation No. 227 s. of 1988. The first week of March has been declared as Women’s week and March 8 as Women’s Rights and International Day of peace, under Proclamation No. 224 s. of 1988.

According to the Philippine Commission on Women (PCW), the theme for this year’s celebration is “We make Change Work for Women,” which highlights the empowerment of women as active contributors to and claimholders of development.

It is also anchored on the commitment of “Malasakit at Pagbabago” (True Compassion and Real Change), the PCW said.

In celebration of the Women’s month, the PCW has been posting on its social media account several inspiring quotes from featured personalities, dubbed as “Juana Says”.

On March 4 (Monday), it featured Dr. Lucille Abad, who was conferred with the 2017 National Science Technology Week Outstanding Research and Development Award for Applied Research category.

“Scientists are gifted with great minds and women, with big hearts. My passion for science brings me closer to every Juan and Juana in need. Behind my invention is the desire to make life better for my countrymen. My latest invention, Carrageenan Plant Growth Promoter (PGP), has greatly benefited the farmers. With PGP, rice yield is increased by more than 20 percent. Truly, I am proud to say I am a scientist and a woman at that!” Abad said.

On March 3 (Sunday), the PCW quoted Mountaineer Carina Dayondon, who defied gender stereotypes by becoming the first Filipina to conquer seven highest mountains in seven continents.

“Mountaineering is a male dominated sport, because it requires physical, mental and emotional toughness. By climbing the highest point of each of the seven continents, we have proven to them that Filipinas will not get intimated and can even excel if we are given the chance and have full logistical support. We have proven this by last May 16, 2007. Together with Noelle Wenceslao and Janet Belarmino, we made a traverse on Mt. Everest and, until today, we are the only three women in the world to have ever done it, as well as a handful of men,” Dayondon said.

StartART Founder Nikki Luna was featured in Juana Says on March 2 (Saturday) for her move to develop art program for women and youth victims of human rights violations in conflict areas. She is also the founder of Power in her Story, a women-girl-child centered publishing house.

“I am an artist and I only need to be a human being to know how crucial it is to fight for the girl-child/woman who continues to be wronged by the system. Sometimes, our battles do not always need to be bloody. We do not need to guard our girls/women. We need to arm them with information, education and a strong belief that their value is and shouldn’t be validated by anyone or anything. And art happens to be an effective tool in doing this,” Luna said.

On March 1 (Friday), it featured Miss Universe 2018 Catriona Gray, who encouraged everyone to explore a service position. Gray has been an advocate of Human Immunodeficiency Virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) and youth education even before winning the prestigious crown.

“I urge all people to explore a service position. Many people say that charity work helps others. But in my experience, I’ve found that I also help myself. If enough of us enter a service position, we will improve the lives of ourselves and those in need while setting an example to those around us. Through a collective attitude or altruistic service, we can change the Philippines,” Gray said.

The PCW has also urged all women to wear purple every Friday beginning March 1 to advance women’s rights and gender equality. The commission is also calling on the public to break gender stereotypes and stop gender-based violence against women. – Robie de Guzman

Tags: Gender Equality, MMDA, National Women's Month, Pasig River Ferry Service, Philippine Commission on Women

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) has warned motorists of snarling traffic situations in Quezon City as it shuts down the Tandang Sora Flyover and intersection.

MMDA said the flyover along Commonwealth Avenue would be closed beginning 11 p.m. Saturday (March 2) to give way to the construction of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 7. It was previously scheduled on February 23 but was postponed for a week as requested by the local government of Quezon City.

Based on data from the agency, more than 100,000 motorists are expected to be affected by the closure of the busy Tandang Sora flyover and intersection.

In light of the closure, the MMDA has bared possible alternate routes for affected motorists.

For those going to Quezon Memorial Circle, take a U-turn in front of Home Depot, turn right on Luzon Avenue and exit Congressional Extension; or turn right on Tandang Sora Avenue and U-turn on Congressional Extension.

For those coming from Fairview, turn right on Don Antonio, go through Mapayapa going to Luzon Avenue.

When going to Katipunan, motorists may turn right on Luzon Avenue, U-turn on Congressional Extension and proceed to Luzon Flyover;

They may also take a U-turn near the Technohub and turn right on Tandang Sora going to Katipunan. Motorists can also go under the Luzon Flyover; or make a U-turn on Commonwealth Avenue-Elliptical Road and turn right on University Avenue, then turn right again on C.P. Garcia exiting to Katipunan.

The U-turn slot under the Luzon Avenue flyover will also be moved to Congressional Avenue Extension before Monday, according to MMDA.

The Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety (QC-DPOS), meanwhile, assured to open subdivision gates when necessary to address heavy traffic.

Under the MRT-7 project, the Tandang Sora flyover will be demolished for the construction of the Tandang Sora Station. It is expected to be completed in two years.

The MMDA has urged the public to cooperate and follow traffic rules for the success of the project. – Robie de Guzman

Tags: alternate routes, MMDA, MRT 7, Tandang Sora flyover

QUEZON CITY, Philippines – The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Tuesday conducted clearing operations along Tandang Sora and Luzon Avenues in Quezon City ahead of the closure of Tandang Sora Flyover and intersection in March.

Members of the MMDA Task Force Special Operations cleared all road obstructions, including illegally-parked vehicles, damaged and unused tricycles and illegal vendors, on Tandang Sora Avenue.

They also relocated a small stall from the sidewalk despite complaints from its owner, and ordered a construction supply store owner to orderly transfer the large mounds of gravel and sand that they dumped on the street fronting their shop.

The MMDA personnel then scoured the stretch of Luzon Avenue to remove illegal food stalls and vendors that were occupying the entire sidewalk.

Around two truckloads of garbage were collected by the MMDA from the area after the operation.

According to MMDA Spokesperson Celine Pielago, the said roads are among the identified alternate routes for motorists who will be affected by the closure of the flyover to give way to the construction of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT) line 7.

The closure will take effect on March 2 at 11 p.m., a week later from the original schedule of February 23 as requested by the local government of Quezon City.

Under the MRT-7 project, the flyover will be demolished for the construction of the Tandang Sora Station. It is expected to last for two years.

During the flyover closure, motorists will be diverted to two temporary U-turns to be opened: one across Microtel at UP Techno Hub and another in front of CW Home Depot.

The MMDA assured that signage of U-turn slots and alternative roads where motorists will be diverted will be installed as part of the concerted effort to minimize the expected traffic condition the project would cause.

Pielago also said that they will continue to coordinate with the Quezon City Department of Public Order and Safety to prevent illegal vendors from returning to the already cleared streets. – Robie de Guzman (with reports from Joan Nano)

Tags: clearing operations, closure, MMDA, Tandang Sora flyover