This Week in Metro Manila (July 11 to 17, 2016)

The Aviation Security Group (Avesgroup) has announced that travelers who will be found to be carrying bullets in their luggage will not be arrested anymore, neither will they be automatically pressed with charges. Instead, they will undergo profiling to verify if they have links to any terrorist and/or criminal groups. Senior Superintendent Mao Aplasca, the new director of Avesgroup, said that cleared passengers will be allowed to take their flight as long as there is no gun and other explosive materials confiscated upon inspection.

Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) said that electricity rates in the month of July may increase due to generation charge hike. Power rates are expected to go up by 29 centavos per kilowatt-hour (kWh). The hike in generation charge, according to Meralco, was caused by higher charges from the Wholesale Electric Spot Market (WESM) last month.

Newly-appointed Airport Manager Ed Monreal has issued an order to airport terminal managers prohibiting overnight aircraft parking in all NAIA terminals. Its primary objective is to decongest ground and air traffic which is currently a problem at NAIA terminals. During Montreal’s initial visit to the airport, he stated that terminal bays should only be used for loading and unloading passengers. This order might coincide with changes in airport policies once implemented.

The Froehlich Tours Inc. has launched three brand new double decker buses on July 1 which will be deployed for the Trinoma (Quezon City)-Glorietta (Makati) route. The buses are more spacious than a usual bus and the lower floor of each is designed for easier access of persons with disability (PWD). Each bus is also equipped with five CCTV cameras and a SPHEROS Air conditioning System specifically designed for buses traveling in tropical destinations.

As posted at P2P Premium Bus Service Facebook page, “All units are equipped with a 340hp Weichai EUR V engine, 52 fully reclining high back leather seats on the top floor, CR, and 2 wheelchair slots with wheelchair locks on the lower floor as well as 10 PWD friendly sofa seats on the lower floor.”

To accommodate more passengers, especially late night commuters, and help decongest the traffic situation on major roads, the Light Railway Transit (LRT)-1 has started the trial implementation of longer operating hours on July 10. According to Light Rail Manila Corporation (LMRC), the trains will leave on the following schedules during the trial run:

• Northbound trains leave Baclaran at 9:40 PM, 9:50 PM and 10:00 PM

• Southbound trains leave Roosevelt at 10:10 PM and 10:15 PM

Meanwhile, northbound trains leave at 9:10 PM, 9:20 PM, and 9:30 PM while southbound trains leave at 9:40 PM and 9:50 PM during weekends and holidays. The extension trial will run until August 9 only but the management is looking forward to make it permanent once proven successful.

SM Shoppers have a chance to get to up to 70% discount on select items starting on July 14 at SM North EDSA, Quezon City. The Great Northern Sale offers wardrobe collections and other novelties where you can get exclusive discount on premium items. Sale period is until July 17 only.

July 11 is declared by the Governing Council of The United Nations Development Programme as a day in observance of the World Population Day. This year’s theme, “Investing in teenage girls” aims to empower young girls, help them know their rights and become agents of positive change in their communities.

In observance of the occasion, the United Nations Population Fund Philippines will hold “Babaenihan: Investing in Teenage Girls,” an event featuring talks from Vice President Leni Robredo, DepEd Sec. Leonor M. Briones and other iconic female personalities plus a free concert. This event will take place on July 11, 2016 at the Rizal Memorial Stadium, Malate, Manila from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM.

Metro Manila will experience colder breeze this week brought by periods of rain. Afternoon thunderstorms can be expected on late afternoons that might affect the traffic flow especially during rush hours.