Category Archives: Travel

Government, Law Enforcement, Politics, Travel

AQUINO ADMINISTRATION UNVEILS 5-POINT PLAN TO SOLVE METRO MANILA’S TRAFFIC AND TRANSPORTATION MESS

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imageMANILA  Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles® ) –  In an interview with ABS-CBN News last week, Philippine Transportation Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said of Metro Manila’s traffic mess,  “It may be ruining the day for thousands daily, but at least it’s ‘not fatal.’ ”

Abaya’s remarks quickly drew harsh criticism from politicians, the media and the commuting public.

At Malacañang yesterday, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda appealed for patience and assured the public the government is seriously addressing the matter.

“The traffic situation is an issue that we continue to address. There have been a number of ongoing infrastructure projects and all of us are affected by it and we have asked the public for their understanding and patience,” Lacierda said.

Today, the Aquino administration unveiled a new, 5-point plan to solve Metro Manila’s traffic and transportation mess once and for all.

The plan:

  1. MRT, Metro Manila’s light railway system, will not run on Tuesdays and Thursdays. This, according to Abaya, will minimize the long lines at MRT stations that people see on a daily basis. “Wala nang pila tuwing Martes at Huwebes,” he said (There will be no more lines on Tuesdays and Thursdays.)
  2. Only buses will be allowed on Metro Manila streets on Mondays and Wednesdays. Private cars, jeepneys, tricycles and delivery trucks will be banned. “Everyone will be taking the bus, and there will be no traffic jams,” Abaya explained.
  3. Only jeepneys will be allowed on Tuesdays and Thursdays, greatly easing traffic gridlock caused by buses, trucks and private cars.
  4. Only delivery trucks will be allowed on Saturdays to ensure timely delivery of goods and services to businesses and private citizens.
  5. Sunday will be private car day. People who don’t own cars are encouraged to carpool with their neighbors to get to church or the shopping malls.

The only exception to the new rules are the cars of cabinet members and members of Congress, provided they do not use “wang wang” (sirens) which had been previously outlawed by President Aquino.

International, Travel

PRESIDENT AQUINO VERY DISAPPOINTED PHILIPPINES ONLY RANKS 9TH AMONG COUNTRIES WITH WORST TRAFFIC

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imageMANILA, Philippines (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – The New Darling of Asia, Asia’s New Rising Tiger, the Next First World Country, Social Media Capital of the World. These are just some of the honors and distinctions that the Philippines has achieved under the administration of President NoyNoy Aquino.

The president would not settle for anything but Number One.

So one can imagine how Aquino is very disappointed — no, furious — that his country only ranked Number 9  in a world survey of countries with the worst traffic.

According to a report made by Numbeo, a Serbia-based research firm, the Philippines is ranked 9th in countries with the worst traffic in the whole world and ranked 4th in Asia. The study done compared 88 countries where each was computed with a “traffic index” that was used for comparison and ranking.

Aquino is calling an emergency meeting this morning with his Transportation Secretary, the head of  the Philippine National Police and the General Manager of MRT, Metro Manila’s  embattled Light Railway System, to develop a strategy to make traffic worse in order for the country to gain the top spot in the next world traffic survey.

“If we need to follow the crooked path to achieve this, then so be it, ” Aquino said, in reference to his administration’s anti-corruption motto of “Daang Matuwid” (Straight Path).

Religion, Tourism, Travel

BATTLESHIP NEW JERSEY TO PROVIDE CHEAP ACCOMMODATIONS DURING POPE FRANCIS’ VISIT TO PHILADELPHIA

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imageCAMDEN, New Jersey (The Adobo Chronicles® ) – Pope Francis will visit the city of Philadelphia on September 26 and 27 as part of his U.S. itinerary.  If you plan to go see the Pope and have not made your hotel reservations yet, you’re out of luck.  Hotel and other accommodations are 100% booked.

But wait, there is some hope.

The Battleship New Jersey , America’s most decorated battleship, has some bunks available for pilgrims who need a place to lay their head during the papal visit to Philadelphia.

Battleship New Jersey, now a museum, is  located in Camden and is just literally a stone’s throw away from Philadelphia.

“Guests can come on board, be served dinner and breakfast from the chow line, get a tour of the battleship, ride the flight simulator and, of course, sleep in the bunks used by the former crew of USS New Jersey — all for the bargain price of $69.99 per day,” said Jack Williard, senior vice president fo the Battleship New Jersey Museum and Memorial .

There must be a catch, right?

Yes, but just one minor catch:  showers are not provided.

So go ahead and book your bunk.  It’s first come, first served.

And pack enough deodorant and cologne, as a courtesy to the thousands of other pilgrims who will be part of the packed crowds you’ll be intimately hobnobbing with  at the papal event.