MVP proposal would have saved the MRT

Japan happens to be the biggest contributor of Official Development Assistance (ODA) to the Philippines, with the Japan International Cooperation Agency or JICA proposing to build a subway that would help ease the traffic congestion in Metro Manila. Under the proposed Mega Manila Subway project, the 40 to 70 kilometer line will have terminals in Bulacan, Roxas Boulevard and Cavite although they still have to finalize the route. Several years ago, the thought of a subway was deemed impossible, but who knows? Japanese technology may just be the answer that could ease the suffering of commuters due to the hellish traffic in Metro Manila.

The fact is, an efficient mass transport system is the answer to the congestion but the MRT has been steadily deteriorating ever since the government unceremoniously terminated the services of Japanese maintenance provider Sumitomo Corp. The MRT continues to be hounded by controversies and problems which many believe could have been avoided, if the government – in particular the DOTC – had only considered the proposal the MVP Group (via the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. or MPIC) made about five years ago to rehabilitate, expand and operate the MRT 3 system – for which MPIC was willing to spend P23 billion.

Even Sen. Serge Osmeña was convinced the MVP Group’s offer – which was repeatedly made – was the best available solution and a very good one at that. But for some reason, the DOTC kept on hedging, claiming they are not sold on unsolicited proposals and prefer open and transparent competitive biddings. Well, what do you know – the DOTC entered into a negotiated contract with a Korean-Filipino consortium to provide long-term maintenance services without benefit of a public bidding because it was supposedly an “emergency.” 

Emperor’s choice: Sofitel

We are told Japanese Emperor Akihito has chosen to stay at the Sofitel Philippine Plaza hotel because he wants to watch the sunset over Manila Bay. Although Japan is called the “Land of the Rising Sun,” the country also has spectacular views of the sunset especially over Mt. Fuji.

The Sofitel has become one of the top hotels in the country today, thanks in large part to the renovations that were started during the time of its former general manager Bernd Schneider who paid attention to a lot of details that needed enhancement, upgrading the rooms and doing a makeover of several facilities. Bernd had envisioned the hotel to be the preferred choice for those who want a place where they can enjoy dining, leisure or a weekend getaway, and we must say his vision has come to fruition as it is now the preferred choice of top personalities as well as heads of state like US President Barack Obama who occupied the Imperial Suite (designed by Japanese firm Spin Design Studio) during his two-day state visit in April 2014 and more recently, during the APEC Leaders’ Summit last November.

Aside from the luxurious amenities, the hotel is a top choice because of its location, plus the fact that it offers very good security options (especially for the US President because of the close proximity of the US embassy). And of course, the hotel offers a fantastic view of Manila Bay’s famed sunset. Hopefully, the smog – which is always a major problem in Metro Manila – will not obstruct Emperor Akihito’s view of the sunset.

Chinese buying up Japanese condoms

More and more Chinese tourists are visiting Japan because they see the country as a “shopping Mecca” for a lot of Japanese made goods from gadgets to beauty products – and condoms. Reports say Chinese buyers have become a savior for Japanese condom makers who saw their domestic sales dwindling as Japan faces an ageing population. In contrast, the Chinese are buying up hordes of the prophylactics because they find the Japanese-made rubbers of much better quality. Last year, Chinese police apprehended some three million fake locally made condoms. Aside from the foul smell, the Chinese condoms reportedly had holes in them and also had a tendency to burst.

Ever since Japan relaxed its visa requirements for countries like the Philippines, Vietnam and Indonesia, more and more Filipino visitors are traveling to Japan, with many also preferring to explore other tourist spots other than the staple destinations located in Tokyo.

According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, close to 20 million tourists flocked to the country in 2015 – an almost 50 percent increase from 2014, with the Chinese comprising the biggest number of visitors at 25 percent. The record high numbers have exceeded expectations considering that Prime Minister Abe has set the 20 million target number of visitors for 2020 – in time for the Olympic Games with Tokyo as host. Following the surge, Abe has raised the target to an ambitious 30 million tourists, which could prove to be challenging in terms of accommodation with the country facing a shortage of 41,000 hotel rooms by 2020.

According to Japanese tourism officials, visitors last year spent almost $30 billion – a record high which accounts for almost 0.5 percent of the Japanese economy. Tourism is certainly a bright spot for the country that still has to make full economic recovery. A survey conducted by an online travel company also revealed that the top three destinations among Hong Kong residents are Japan, followed by South Korea and Taiwan.

The surge has also prompted authorities to encourage the use of “minpaku” or private residences that can be rented out to foreign visitors – a win-win situation for many since these are more affordable alternatives to hotels. Online home rental services are seeing an exponential increase in their listings which have doubled every year since 2010.

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