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Wednesday, February 23, 2022

LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot, ramps up electromechanical works for future system February 23, 2022 at 01:38AM

Out of Town Blog
LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot, ramps up electromechanical works for future system

In photo: (L-R) Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur Tugade, DOTr Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, and Light Rail Manila Corporation President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – LRT-1 private operator Light Rail Manila Corporation (LRMC) is poised to provide a modern railway system as it welcomes the civil works completion of the LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot and gears up for the operations and maintenance of the new facility.

In photo: (L-R) Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, Japan Ambassador to the Philippines Koshikawa Kazuhiko, Light Rail Manila Corporation President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso, and Light Rail Transit Authority Administrator Jeremy Regino

The expanded Baclaran Depot of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension Project was inaugurated in a ceremony led by officials from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA), Embassy of Japan, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and Pasay City Local Government. With the expansion of the LRT-1 Baclaran Depot, 4.2 hectares were added to the existing 6.4-hectare Baclaran Depot, giving way to more rail tracks and maintenance facilities to support more trainsets. The expansion project was funded through the Philippine government’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) received from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

With the civil works completion of the new depot by the Philippine government, LRMC is all set to provide the electromechanical and rail systems works which include traction power supply, overhead catenary systems, and trackworks. LRMC’s role is to ensure that these works are compatible with the existing LRT-1 system and the future Cavite Extension system.

“We share the same vision with the government of modernizing the railway system in the country highlighting the benefits it will definitely bring to Filipino commuters. The LRMC team, together with our partner contractor, is currently accelerating the electromechanical installations for the new facility to allow the stabling and maintenance of additional trains, particularly the new Gen-4 fleet. We remain fully committed to raise the bar of service excellence in public transport,” LRMC President and CEO Juan F. Alfonso said.

The expanded LRT-1 Baclaran depot will see the addition of 21 stabling and maintenance tracks to the existing 45, increasing the depot’s stabling capacity from 130 to 182 Light Rail Vehicles (LRVs), and will accommodate trains from existing Generations 1, 2, 3, and new Generation 4 (Gen-4). The expansion will also ease up movements of trains, as it will give enough space for ingress and egress inside the depot leading to increased train availability.

To date, a total of 20 new Gen-4 train sets (out of the expected 30) have already arrived in the Philippines. LRMC has been receiving the Gen-4 train sets in batches since the arrival of the first train set in January 2021. The new trains will be used for the existing line, and the future LRT-1 Cavite Extension whose construction remains to be in full swing with 69% completion rate as of end January 2022.

Moreover, LRMC has recently upgraded to a new signalling system that will facilitate the testing, commissioning, and operation for revenue service of the 4th Generation train sets. LRT-1’s newest trains are set to be deployed for revenue use in mid-2022 after completing the necessary safety checks, inspections, test runs with minimum kilometers, and acceptance tests.

For more updates and info on the LRT-1, follow LRMC on Facebook at facebook.com/officialLRT1, Twitter at @officialLRT1, or download the ikotMNL mobile app for free on Google Play and App Store.

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Read: A Guide To The Best Shopping Spots In Manila

Original article: LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot, ramps up electromechanical works for future system

LRMC welcomes new LRT-1 Baclaran Expansion Depot, ramps up electromechanical works for future system
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Tuesday, February 22, 2022

Oz Goose sailfest set in Legazpi February 21, 2022 at 10:46PM

Out of Town Blog
Oz Goose sailfest set in Legazpi

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The City of Legazpi, home to the iconic Mayon Volcano, sizzles once more as it hosts the inaugural staging of the Exciting Bicol Oz Goose National Championships on Feb. 26-27. A first in the region, the event is organized by the Albay Yacht Club (AYC) and the Philippine Home Boatbuilders Yacht Club (PHBYC). The Department of Tourism Region 5 and the City Government of Legazpi.

Set at the Albay Gulf across Legazpi Boulevard, the two-day sailfest will launch Bicol as the archipelago’s newest sailing haven.

Competing for top honors and fun sailing will be 31 Oz Goose sailboats from Subic, Batangas, Manila, and Albay.

“Bicol has been gaining in popularity with the country’s water sports enthusiasts, from wakeboarders, surfers, paddlers, scuba divers, and now, sailors. Its natural beauty is its main appeal, the people’s warm hospitality in embracing watersports compound its overall charm,” says DOT regional director Herbie Aguas.

He said that potential sailing spots will be explored in the nearby provinces to make it a community sport and help breed a new generation of watersports athletes.

Meanwhile, Legazpi mayor Noel Rosal welcomed the sporting event, saying sailing will be an additional recreational activity in the City of Fun and Adventure.

“The Oz Goose sailboat sails is an ideal platform to teach people the essential skills involved in sailing, from weather awareness to basic physics. Racing sailboats is the best way to improve one’s sailing skills,” says PHBYC executive director and event organizer Roy Espiritu.

He noted that this boat type is cheap and easy to assemble, and has a huge potential to bring recreational sailing to various parts of the archipelago. Introduced in the Philippines in 2015, there are about 100 Oz Goose boats in the country at its base at the Taal Lake Yacht Club (TLYC) in Talisay town, the AYC in Legazpi, and various boat clubs.

The Oz Goose is a 12-foot long wind-powered sailboat with a 14-foot mast and crewed by two persons.

Small boat sailing has been gaining popularity in Legazpi in recent years, largely through the efforts of city councilor Fernand Imperial, who is also a sailing crew of the Subic-based Team Windshear team.

The Exciting Bicol Oz Goose Nationals is also supported by Kress Philippines, Toyota Albay, Hyde Sails Cebu, Imperial Homes, Pacific Blue Dive Center; hotel partners Proxy by The Oriental, Legazpi Oceanfront Hostel, Hotel Sentro, and RRCG Transport as the official carrier.

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Read: Ultimate List Of The Best Hotels In Legazpi City

Original article: Oz Goose sailfest set in Legazpi

Oz Goose sailfest set in Legazpi
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog

Go Wireless With LG ToneFree Earbuds February 21, 2022 at 10:01PM

Out of Town Blog
Go Wireless With LG ToneFree Earbuds

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – As technology gets better and better with each passing day, the need for simplification becomes important. Especially now that most people are staying at home, you want the best technological innovations available in the simplest way possible. After all, you don’t want to be bothered with wires, charging stations, and other clutter. There’s beauty in simplicity.

This also holds true for earbuds. Going wireless gives you a lot of benefits that make life better and easier. How many times have you tried to get your earphones from your bag and was greeted with a tangled mess? Or you’re out running then the wires snag on a tree branch? True wireless technology gives you a hassle-free experience without sacrificing audio quality.

LG’s TONE Free earbud series provides a great entry into a true wireless world. Whether you’re using earbuds while working at home or working out, it provides a superior experience to wired ones. It’s perfect for active lifestyles because you don’t need to worry about wires impeding your stride or movement. LG TONE Free earbuds have a new, contoured design that conforms to the shape of your ear, providing a comfortable and stylish fit that doesn’t fall off easily. It is also IPX4 water and sweat resistant.

LG TONE Free earbuds give you privacy, even when you’re in public. Simply open the TONE Free app to use whispering mode with the TONE Free FP5. With whispering mode, you can whisper in a noisy space and still be heard clearly on your calls. Just hold the right earbud near your mouth to speak soft and clear. It also boasts of Active Noise Cancellation which reduces background and ambient noises so you can focus on what you’re listening to – and ignore the rest. It’s perfect for reducing background noise on a plane, in a busy cafe or on public transportation.

If you’re the type to want to fall asleep to music, LG’s TONE Free is perfect for you. You can immerse yourself in soothing, calming sounds to help you sleep. Ear irritation won’t be a problem thanks to soft, hypoallergenic medical grade ear gels that provide a comfortable fit.

With the LG TONE Free, you also don’t have to worry about using it for extended periods of time. Enjoy up to 8 hours of play time on your buds and a total of 22 hours of play time with the charging case—all from one charge.It also has a fast charging feature where you can get 1 hour worth of power in just 5 minutes of charging.

Experience the convenience of wireless earbuds with LG TONE Free today (link). Get a pair from LG authorized retailers such as Abenson, Ansons, and SM Appliance. You can also purchase the earbuds from LG’s flagship online store in Lazada and Shopee.

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Read: LG Announces Call For Entries For LG Ambassador Challenge

Original article: Go Wireless With LG ToneFree Earbuds

Go Wireless With LG ToneFree Earbuds
Team Out of Town
Out of Town Blog

Saturday, February 19, 2022

DOT welcomes IATF approval to accept the national VaxCert of 12 additional countries February 18, 2022 at 10:50PM

Out of Town Blog
DOT welcomes IATF approval to accept the national VaxCert of 12 additional countries

Team Out of Town Blog Hub (Outoftownblog.com) – The Department of Tourism (DOT) welcomes the recent decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) to expand its list of accepted and recognized national COVID-19 vaccination certificates, approving twelve more from countries whose travelers are allowed visa-free travel to the Philippines.

Based on Resolution No. 162 of the IATF-EID, the national/state vaccination certificates of Argentina, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Chile, Denmark, Ecuador, Indonesia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Portugal, and Spain, mainly 12 of the 157 countries that can visit the Philippines visa-free under Executive Order (EO) 408, shall be accepted and recognized as other proofs of vaccination required as entry requirements to the Philippines.

These are in addition to the national COVID-19 vaccination certificates approved in the task force’s previous resolutions.

The same resolution also directed the Bureau of Quarantine (BOQ), and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) One Stop Shop (OSS) to only accept vaccination certificates recognized by the IATF-EID.

“The DOT commits to working with other member agencies of the IATF-EID in making the travel process and requirements to the country easier for balikbayans and foreign tourists alike. This move will greatly help in restoring jobs under the heavily impacted tourism industry,” tourism chief Berna Romulo-Puyat said.

“We are grateful to the IATF-EID for this development as we aim to make travel as seamless as possible for our travelers from visa-free countries. We look forward to opening our doors to guests from all over the world, but of course, with all the necessary health and safety protocols in place,” the tourism chief added.

Meanwhile, Puyat noted that the Vaccinated Travel Lane (VTL) scheme that has been agreed by the governments of the Philippines and Singapore will further boost arrivals from the latter.

Here is the full list of countries whose national vaccination certificates are recognized by the Philippines: https://visitor.tourism.gov.ph/vaxcert/

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Read: DOT: Philippines To Accept Fully-Vaxxed Tourists From Visa-Free Countries Starting Feb. 10

Original article: DOT welcomes IATF approval to accept the national VaxCert of 12 additional countries

DOT welcomes IATF approval to accept the national VaxCert of 12 additional countries
Melo Villareal
Out of Town Blog