Latest news with #Artes
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
Over 600 tons of trash recovered from pumping stations, flooded areas —MMDA
More than 600 tons of trash have been recovered from pumping stations and flooded areas amid the impact of Tropical Cyclone Crising and Southwest Monsoon or Habagat in Metro Manila. According to the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), a total of 526.8 tons of garbage were collected from pumping stations from Friday to Tuesday. Meanwhile, 76.92 tons of trash were accumulated from clearing operations in flooded areas from Monday to Tuesday. Photo from MMDA The MMDA on Wednesday inspected the Tripa de Gallina pumping station in Pasay City, which is the largest pumping station in Metro Manila. Heavy loads of garbage were retrieved from the pumping station including old furniture, broken refrigerators, wheels, trunks of fallen trees, among others, according to the MMDA. "When plastics are sucked into the pump, they get coiled in the engine, resulting in overheating. The efficiency of our pumping stations are really affected and could result in damaged equipment," MMDA chief Romando Artes said. "Our drainage system is antiquated, with more than 50 years of service. To address these issues, we need a drainage master plan for Metro Manila that involves upgrading and expanding the existing drainage network, constructing new pumping stations, among others,' he added. Photo from MMDA According to Artes, all 71 pumping stations in Metro Manila are working at full capacity. The MMDA is also conducting declogging and dredging operations of drainages and waterways in major thoroughfares in Metro Manila to mitigate flooding. Meanwhile, Artes also inspected the MRT7 project's Batasan Station on Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City to address the possible causes of flooding in the area and propose a viable solution. "The size of the inlet was reduced to two feet by two feet from its original dimension of 3 meters by 3 meters. Our agency plans to widen the existing steel-grating drop inlet to intercept the floodwaters coming from IBP Road,' Artes said. Representatives from the city government and San Miguel Corporation's (SMC) MRT-7 management also joined the inspection to address the issue. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Climate
- GMA Network
MMDA: Over 500 flood incidents reported in Metro Manila amid downpour
More than 500 flood incidents were reported in Metro Manila in the last 24 hours amid the heavy downpour brought about by the southwest monsoon (habagat) and the trough of the low pressure area (LPA), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Tuesday. MMDA Chairperson Romando Artes said as of 11 a.m., the number of flood incidents dipped from 500 to 273, with floodwater levels varying on the affected areas. 'Sa buong Kamaynilaan within 24 hours ay mahigit 500 po ang naging pagbaha, incidents ng pagbaha sa iba't ibang areas,' Artes told a palace briefing. (Throughout Metro Manila within 24 hours, there were more than 500 flooding incidents in various areas.) 'As of 11 a.m. naman po, nabawasan na rin po ito ng up to 273 na lamang. Iba-iba po ang degree ng lalim ng tubig, mayroong gutter deep at mayroon din naman pong malalalim. Mahigit 200 naman na po iyong humupa o nawalan na ng tubig,' he added. (As of 11 a.m., it went down to 273. The water levels are varying on the affected areas. Floodwaters subsided in over 200 areas.) State weather bureau PAGASA earlier said heavy rains will continue to drench parts of the country due to the habagat and the trough of the LPA. The downpour has caused widespread flooding, heavy traffic, and floating debris in some areas in Metro Manila. The MMDA recently issued an advisory on the affected roads. 'Tayo po ay nag-prepare at walang tigil sa pagtatrabaho para ma-ensure po na handa ang ahensiya na tumugon sa hamon na dala po nitong hangin at ulan,' said Artes. (We are preparing to ensure the MMDA is ready to face challenges brought about by the rains and wind.) 'Mayroon po tayong 500 personnel, six buses, two military trucks, two rubber boats at four aluminum boats at mahigit 500 personnel po na rescue personnel na nakaantabay at ready for deployment,' he said. (We have 500 personnel, 6 buses, 2 military trucks, 2 rubber boats, 4 aluminum boats and over 500 rescue personnel that are ready for deployment.) Personnel of the MMDA are set to conduct preemptive evacuation of flood-stricken residents in Malabon City, Artes added. Artes also said the MMDA is coordinating with the Department of Transportation for its free ride service to passangers affected by the heavy rains. The agency is also conducting declogging activities in parts of Metro Manila to ease the floods. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
Filipino Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Filipino Times
MMFF announces first four official entries for 2025 festival
The Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) unveiled on Tuesday the first four official entries for its 51st edition set to run during the 2025 holiday season. The first four MMFF 2025 official entries are the following: • Call Me Mother Director: Jun Robles Lana Lead Cast: Vice Ganda and Nadine Lustre • Rekonek Director: Jade Castro Lead Cast: Carmina Villaroel, Gloria Diaz, Alexa Miro, Gerald Anderson, and Zoren Legaspi • Manila's Finest Director: Rae Red Lead Cast: Piolo Pascual • Shake, Rattle and Roll: Evil Origins Directors: Shugo Praico, Joey De Guzman, and Ian Loreños Lead Cast: Ivana Alawi, Fyang Smith, Loisa Andalio, Ashley Ortega, Ysabel Ortega, Elijah Alejo, Carla Abellana, Manilyn Reynes, Janice de Belen, Francine Diaz, Kaila Estrada, Richard Gutierrez, Ryan Bang, Seth Fedelin, JM Ibarra, and Dustin Yu. MMFF Overall Chair and Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) Chairman Romando Artes said the films were selected from 23 submitted scripts. The remaining four entries will be announced on September 30. This year's festival marks a return to the traditional eight-film format after several years of featuring ten entries. Artes said the change is intended to allow more theaters to screen each film and boost their commercial performance. The 2025 edition carries the theme 'MMFF 51: A New Era for Philippine Cinema,' reflecting the festival's aim to elevate the quality and impact of local filmmaking. 'The MMFF is committed to providing a platform for local filmmakers to connect with the audience. MMFF 51 is a new era for Philippine cinema,' said Artes. Organized annually by the MMDA, the MMFF showcases all-Filipino films and screens exclusively in cinemas nationwide from December 25 through the New Year.
GMA Network
07-07-2025
- Automotive
- GMA Network
MMDA launches SMS, email notifications for NCAP violations
Motorists will now receive real-time short message service (SMS) and email notifications if they committed violations under the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP), the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) said Monday. "A key feature of this initiative is that vehicle owners will receive notification via SMS even without an internet connection so that immediate action may be taken as soon as they are notified and for their convenience," MMDA chairperson Romando Artes was quoted in a statement as saying during the launch. The MMDA noted that motorists will receive the notification through SMS and email when the violation has been verified. For SMS, the sender is 'MMDA_NCAP' and it does not use a cell phone number, the MMDA said. On the other hand, the official sender in email is 'no-reply@ 'The official MMDA text and email notifications do not include any payment links to prevent scams. Both the SMS and email notifications are sent from no-reply senders,' the MMDA said. According to the MMDA, the vehicle owners' contact numbers and email addresses come from the records registered under the Land Transportation Office 's Land Transportation Management System. Artes urged the vehicle owners to update their records in the LTO LTMS to ensure they receive notifications. As the website shows only traffic violations under NCAP, the MMDA noted that a result of 'No Record Found' status does not necessarily indicate the absence of traffic violations. Meanwhile, Artes reminded the public to be cautious of any suspicious messages containing links and check the sender's information to avoid potential scams. The real-time SMS and email notifications for the violations under NCAP was done in partnership with a telecommunications company and the LTO, according to the MMDA. In June, the MMDA also launched 'May Huli Ka 2.0,' a web-based platform that enables vehicle owners to conveniently check for traffic violations. NCAP is a policy that uses closed-circuit television, digital cameras and/or other gadgets or technology to capture videos and images to apprehend vehicles violating traffic laws, instead of traffic enforcers on the ground. Under the policy, violators can pay fines later online or at the MMDA office. They can also contest their supposed violations caught under NCAP. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- GMA Network
Thief steals cables of NCAP cameras in Makati — MMDA
The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) on Thursday said the cables of some cameras used in the No Contact Apprehension Policy (NCAP) along EDSA in Guadalupe, Makati City were stolen. According to Joseph Morong's '24 Oras' report, CCTV footage showed a man stealing the cables on the Guadalupe EDSA Overpass last June 20. The MMDA said it only found out when the CCTV did not work during a test on Tuesday. A total of eight CCTV cameras had their cables cut. The theft seems to be a common scenario as signages were put up, warning the public of the illegal act and that the cables are made of fiber optics and not copper, which could be sold in junk shops. 'Mahal po yung kable ng mga wires. Mukhang ibebenta po yung kable rather than galit sa NCAP (the wires are expensive. It's more of they would sell the cable rather than being mad at the NCAP),' MMDA chairman Romandao Artes said of the suspect's possible motive. The MMDA has reported the case to the Philippine National Police for investigation. The agency also expressed concern over the recent incident since this could give others the idea to cut the NCAP cables. 'Lalagyan na namin siya ng harang to protect the cameras. Tandaan nyo pag nanira kayo ng property o kumuha kayo ng property, may penalty yan sa batas and we'll make sure you'll be prosecuted,' Artes said. (We will put a barrier to protect the cameras. Remember, if you steal or destroy property, you will face a penalty, and we'll make sure you'll be prosecuted.) The MMDA said NCAP cameras help maintain public safety on roads, especially with the recent number of road accidents around Metro Manila. Based on the Metro Manila Accident Reporting and Analysis System, EDSA and C-5 Road logged the most recorded road incidents in Metro Manila in 2024, with over 8,000 incidents for each thoroughfare. Meanwhile, Commonwealth Avenue, which was previously considered a 'killer highway,' placed third with over 5,000 road accidents. 'I don't want to call any street a 'killer highway'. Make these roads safe, not just these roads na maraming accident kundi lahat ng roads sa (with many accidents but all roads in) Metro Manila for all,' Artes said. According to the MMDA, congestion could be the reason for the many accidents along EDSA, while poor lighting is a possible factor along the C-5 Road. When NCAP was reimplemented, MMDA said the number of road accidents along EDSA went down by 18% and 30% along Commonwealth Ave. Aside from NCAP, the MMDA is also looking into lowering the speed limit to 30 kilometers per hour, but many factors still need to be balanced before it can be implemented. —Mariel Celine Serquiña/RF, GMA Integrated New
