This Week in Metro Manila (April 17-23, 2017)

This week, the much anticipated Runway Manila will finally open by April 18. The sleek and modern walkway will connect Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 3 and Newport City Resort and Casino, and will be fully air-conditioned complete with elevators and walkalators. The 220-meter bridge will pass over Andrews Avenue and will take an average person to transfer from one point to another in just 10 minutes.

The project is spearheaded by Travellers International Hotel Group Inc. (TIHGI) in partnership with the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH). The project aims to provide ease to incoming and outgoing travelers going to and from NAIA Terminal 3 and to boost the country’s tourism.

As part of the construction of the MRT 7, parts of Regalado Highway will be closed from April 17 until June 16. The affected areas will extend from Bristol Street to Commonwealth Avenue to begin the Phase 1 of the said construction.

One lane will still remain open for motorists coming from Commonwealth Ave. going to Quirino Highway. However alternate routes are suggested by the government for motorists who want to avoid heavy traffic.

Motorists coming from San Jose del Monte heading towards Quezon Memorial Circle, can take the route via Quirino Highway and Commonwealth Avenue or via Belfast Street and Mindanao Avenue.

For motorists coming from Quezon Memorial Circle going to San Jose del Monte, motorists can take the route via Mindanao Avenue and Regalado Highway and via Bristol Street and Ascencion Street.

Water and wastewater service providers, Maynilad Water Services, Inc. and Manila Water Company, Inc., will be spiking up their rates this coming April 22. The two companies cited that the change is due to the adjustments in the Foreign Currency Differential Adjustments (FCDA) and inflation. The said adjustment was motivated by the continuous depreciation of peso against dollars in the past months.

On the other hand, the Manila Electric Company or MERALCO will also increase their rates this month to PhP0.23 per kilowatt hour due to increase in generation charges. Some factors that drive the increase in generation charge include the spike in the cost of power sourced from Independent Power Producers (IPP) and Wholesale Electricity Spot Market (WESP).

The beginning of the week will be welcomed with a cloudy day with probability of rain showers. Meanwhile, the rest of the week will mostly be sunny from morning until the afternoon and clear skies will dominate the night time. Umbrellas and a bottle of water are great companions this summer for protection from the weather and possible heat stroke.