New Skyway toll rates to take effect April 26, 2011

The Toll Regulatory Board (TRB) has approved the implementation of the new toll rates for the Integrated Skyway Stages 1 and 2.

The new toll rates which will take effect on April 26, 2011 are: 

• P65 for the Makati-Bicutan elevated stretch
• P106 for Makati-Sucat
• P147 for Makati-Alabang.

For the at-grade section, approved tolls for Class 1 are as follows: 

• P44 for Magallanes or C-5 to Merville or Bicutan
• P31 from Bicutan to Sucat
• P31 from Sucat to Alabang.

The integrated Skyway System consists of the 16.3-km. Buendia-Alabang elevated section and the 13.5-km. Magallanes-Alabang at-grade section.

The rates were supposed to take effect on April 20, but the Skyway operators decided on April 26 date to allow the motorists to enjoy the toll-free use of the new Skyway Bicutan-Alabang extension during the Holy Week.

With Stage 1’s newly-asphalted roadway and new toll facilities like the CCTV cameras and the Command Center, and the full operation of 6.88-km. Skyway’s Bicutan-Alabang section, travel time on both the at-grade and elevated sections of the Skyway System has remarkably improved from what used to be around one hour to just 15 to 20 minutes. The Skyway extension to Alabang opened to traffic last April 6, 2011.

For any clarifications, motorists may email corpcomm@cmmtc.com, or skyway@skyway.com.ph

Employees who are working on Black Saturday should get 130 percent of their daily wage

Employees who are working on Black Saturday should get 130 percent of their daily wage, Labor Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said Tuesday.

The President declared Black Saturday, April 23, as a special nonworking holiday throughout the country.

An employee working on Black Saturday is entitled to 130 percent of his daily rate for the first eight hours, and to an additional 30 percent of his or her hourly rate on that day for work performed in excess of eight hours, said the labor secretary.

Black Saturday April 23, 2011 declared a special non-working day

Black Saturday is now a special non-working day.

Malacañang issued on Monday Proclamation no. 150 declaring Black Saturday as a special non-working day.

The proclamation was approved by President Aquino and it was signed by Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr.

According to the proclamation, Black Saturday "has been traditionally declared a special (non-working) day throughout the country.''

"Our people must be given the full and uninterrupted opportunity to ponder on the significance of the Holy Week and to properly observe its traditions with religious fervor, without prejudice to public interest,'' said the proclamation.

Australian Embassy to adopt appointment system beginning July 1, 2011

The Australian Embassy in Manila will adopt an appointment system starting July 1 for passport and consular services.

The Australian Embassy said the system will cover notarial acts and lodgement of passport applications.

Appointments for notarial acts and lodgement of passport applications can be requested from the Passport and Consular Section by 

• phone (+63 2 757 8100 x309)
•  fax (+63 2 757 8344) 
•  email (manila.consular@dfat.gov.au)

Requests for appointments must be made at least one(1) working day ahead of the date the applicant plans to go to the embassy.

The notarial acts include consular services such as:

• Certificates of No Impediment
• certified copies
• witnessing signatures
• authentications
• binding documents.

The embassy assured the public that every effort will be made to accommodate your request, however due to the volume of passport applications and notarial acts they'll not be able to guarantee your requested time unless you book your appointment well in advance.

The Consular Section is open from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday to Friday, except public holidays.

For after-hours emergencies, the public can call +63 2 757 8100, follow the prompts to transfer to the Department of Foreign Affairs toll free hotline or call direct : +61 2 6261 3305.

The Australia Consular Section is located at Level 23 - Tower 2, RCBC Plaza at 6819 Ayala Avenue in Makati City.

LRT Balintawak, Roosevelt stations resume operations

Good News People of the Philippines! Two stations of the Light Rail Transit (LRT) Line 1 that were closed after a freak accident involving two trains in February this year is finally reopened yesterday April 11.

Balintawak and Roosevelt stations is now fully operational.

LRTA  Administrator Rafael Rodriguez said they allotted ample time for the refresher and re-training of all train operators in Line 1, and re-orientation on safety driving policy to keep them from figuring in rail-related accidents.

If you still recalls last Feb. 18, two LRT trains collided at the reversing track at the LRT-1 in Quezon City. An investigation showed one of the drivers was texting when the incident occurred.

On Rodriguez's orders, the LRTA management instituted additional safety measures to prevent similar or related incident in the future.

These cover the modification of virtual switch which provides additional safety mechanism in the operations of trains and placement of train inspectors and dispatchers, who shall oversee the train movements from Monumento to the reversing site at Roosevelt Station.

The two stations are part of the North Extension Project that will link LRT-1 and MRT-3 through a common station which is expected to be completed next year.


So what are you waiting for? Avail of the LRT Roosevelt and Balintawak services now na! Enjoy the LRT!

May 1, 2011 - Labor Day Job Fair Pre-Registration for Applicants

May 1, 2011 - Labor Day Job Fair
Pre-Registration for Applicants


Job seekers need to pre-register with Phil-JobNet through which they will be pre-screened by employers who will participate at the Job and Livelihood Fair on Labor Day. This will give them higher chance of landing a job when they present themselves to the participating employers during the Job Fair.


http://phil-job.net/applicant/preapp_log.php

Labor Day 2011 now at Facebook, Twitter

Like, link, tweet, and follow us on Labor Day.

Jobseekers may now get updated with the latest events all set for the Labor Day celebration on May 1 online, especially the conduct of the nationwide Job and Livelihood Fair, as the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) launches its official social network accounts. Facebook and Twitter, for Labor Day 2011.

Through Facebook and Twitter, jobseekers, for instance, will know that they need to pre-register with Phil-JobNet through which they will be pre-screened by employers who will participate at the Job and Livelihood Fair on Labor Day. This will give them higher chance of landing a job when they present themselves to the participating employers during the Job Fair.

Hyping two of the most famed and largest social networking sites, DOLE Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz said that utilizing such online networks would greatly augment DOLE’s efforts to not only maximize the publicity of the array of events for the Labor Day celebration, but also to heighten the awareness of all jobseekers, and the general public, about the programs and services that they can avail during the conduct of the May 1 of the Job and Livelihood Fair.

Be updated and know the latest on Labor Day 2011. Add us on Facebook at laborday2011@yahoo.com and follow us on Twitter at @laborday2k11.   - Source DOLE

2011 BINIBINING PILIPINAS WINNERS

2011 BINIBINING PILIPINAS WINNER

Here are the winners of the recently concluded Binibining Pilipinas 2011:

Binibining Pilipinas – Universe – Shamcey Supsup

Photo by Jensie G

Shamcey Supsup BB. Pilipinas -Universe

photo from abs cbn

Photo by Jensie G

Binibining Pilipinas – International – Dianne Necio ( I knew her personally she's the granddaughter of Lolo Domeng Samar, Congrats!)

Photo by Jensie G

Binibining Pilipinas – Tourism – Isabella Manjon

1st Runner Up – Janine Tugonon

2nd Runner Up – Mary Jean Lastimosa

Best in Swimsuit – Queenierich Rehman

Best in Long Gown – Luzelle Felipe

Best in Talent – Shamcey Supsup

Best in National Costume – Sarah Nicole Clenci

Miss Cream Silk – Shamcey Supsup

Miss Philippine Airlines (PAL) – Shamcey Supsup

Miss Friendship – Samantha Purvor

Manila Bulletin Readers’ Choice Award – Luzelle Felipe

Face of Binibining Pilipinas 2011 (People’s Choice Award) – Angelia Gabrena Ong

Photo from abs-cbn

Photo from DF