QC gov’t orders halt to MRT-7 construction above Quezon Memorial Circle | ABS-CBN
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QC gov’t orders halt to MRT-7 construction above Quezon Memorial Circle
QC gov’t orders halt to MRT-7 construction above Quezon Memorial Circle
ABS-CBN News
Published Feb 19, 2020 12:38 AM PHT
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Updated Feb 19, 2020 05:18 AM PHT
(UPDATE) The Quezon City government suspended on Tuesday the ongoing construction of an MRT-7 station above the Quezon Memorial Circle after environmentalists and historians said “it would affect the landmark's identity as a national heritage park.”
(UPDATE) The Quezon City government suspended on Tuesday the ongoing construction of an MRT-7 station above the Quezon Memorial Circle after environmentalists and historians said “it would affect the landmark's identity as a national heritage park.”
Mayor Joy Belmonte, in a statement, said she ordered a temporary cease and desist order on the station's construction and will have a dialogue with the Department of Transportation, MRT developer San Miguel Corporation, and contractor EEI Corporation about the matter.
Mayor Joy Belmonte, in a statement, said she ordered a temporary cease and desist order on the station's construction and will have a dialogue with the Department of Transportation, MRT developer San Miguel Corporation, and contractor EEI Corporation about the matter.
Belmonte said she has grave reservations about the desecration of the heritage site, especially as construction was affecting the surface of the park.
Belmonte said she has grave reservations about the desecration of the heritage site, especially as construction was affecting the surface of the park.
"We want to look for a win-win solution that would protect our open spaces while advancing the welfare of thousands of commuters who will benefit from the mass transport project," the mayor said.
"We want to look for a win-win solution that would protect our open spaces while advancing the welfare of thousands of commuters who will benefit from the mass transport project," the mayor said.
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The city mayor added that she wants the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Quezon-Avancena Family, the descendants of the late Manuel L. Quezon, to also have a say on the matter as it will affect the “city’s most famous landmark.”
The city mayor added that she wants the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) and the Quezon-Avancena Family, the descendants of the late Manuel L. Quezon, to also have a say on the matter as it will affect the “city’s most famous landmark.”
She has also ordered a review of the project after discovering that it exceeded the agreed area for construction.
She has also ordered a review of the project after discovering that it exceeded the agreed area for construction.
“Based on the project's permit and clearance, the contractor indicated 4,997 square meters as its floor area. However, the proposed floor area is more than five times the approved figure,” she said.
“Based on the project's permit and clearance, the contractor indicated 4,997 square meters as its floor area. However, the proposed floor area is more than five times the approved figure,” she said.
Meanwhile, transportation assistant secretary Goddes Libiran has also confirmed with ABS-CBN News that they will be coordinating with the QC government to settle the matter.
Meanwhile, transportation assistant secretary Goddes Libiran has also confirmed with ABS-CBN News that they will be coordinating with the QC government to settle the matter.
“We understand that the concern is about the above-ground structure, and that the construction of underground areas may proceed. We will coordinate with the LGU of Quezon City as soon as possible to discuss and clarify this matter. We are certain that at the end of the day, we will be able to strike a balance and obtain a win-win solution,” Libiran said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
“We understand that the concern is about the above-ground structure, and that the construction of underground areas may proceed. We will coordinate with the LGU of Quezon City as soon as possible to discuss and clarify this matter. We are certain that at the end of the day, we will be able to strike a balance and obtain a win-win solution,” Libiran said in an interview with ABS-CBN News.
At least 44 percent of the new Metro Rail Transit 7 has been completed and 12 out of 14 stations are expected to be operational by 2022, the transport department said during a media tour for the State of the Nation Address last year.
At least 44 percent of the new Metro Rail Transit 7 has been completed and 12 out of 14 stations are expected to be operational by 2022, the transport department said during a media tour for the State of the Nation Address last year.
Once completed, the train line will cut travel time from North Avenue Station in Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan to 34 minutes from 4 hours, the agency said.
Once completed, the train line will cut travel time from North Avenue Station in Quezon City to San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan to 34 minutes from 4 hours, the agency said.
Read More:
Quezon City
Joy Belmonte
MRT-7
Quezon Memorial Circle
San Miguel Corporation
EEI Corporation
Department of Transportation
National Historical Commission of the Philippines
National Commission for Culture and the Arts
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World awaits Trump tariff deadline on Canada, Mexico, China
World awaits Trump tariff deadline on Canada, Mexico, China
Agence France-Presse
Published Feb 01, 2025 01:50 AM PHT
The global economy is bracing for impact as US President Donald Trump's deadline to impose sweeping tariffs on the three largest US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and China -- draws near.
The global economy is bracing for impact as US President Donald Trump's deadline to impose sweeping tariffs on the three largest US trading partners -- Canada, Mexico and China -- draws near.
Trump said shortly after taking office that he planned to introduce 25 percent tariffs on neighbors Canada and Mexico on February 1, unless they cracked down on illegal migrants crossing the US border and the flow of deadly fentanyl.
Trump said shortly after taking office that he planned to introduce 25 percent tariffs on neighbors Canada and Mexico on February 1, unless they cracked down on illegal migrants crossing the US border and the flow of deadly fentanyl.
He is also eyeing an additional 10 percent duty for Chinese goods on Saturday, similarly over fentanyl.
He is also eyeing an additional 10 percent duty for Chinese goods on Saturday, similarly over fentanyl.
While Trump has not specified tools for the new tariffs, analysts have suggested he could tap emergency economic powers -- which allow the president to regulate imports during a national emergency. But this could be hindered by lawsuits.
While Trump has not specified tools for the new tariffs, analysts have suggested he could tap emergency economic powers -- which allow the president to regulate imports during a national emergency. But this could be hindered by lawsuits.
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On Thursday, he reiterated commitment to levies on all three countries, while re-upping threats of 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations -- a bloc including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- if they create a rival to the US dollar.
On Thursday, he reiterated commitment to levies on all three countries, while re-upping threats of 100 percent tariffs on BRICS nations -- a bloc including Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa -- if they create a rival to the US dollar.
Fentanyl, many times more powerful than heroin, has been responsible for tens of thousands of overdose deaths a year.
Fentanyl, many times more powerful than heroin, has been responsible for tens of thousands of overdose deaths a year.
Beijing has rebuffed claims of its complicity in the deadly trade, while Canada has countered that below one percent of undocumented migrants and fentanyl entering the United States comes through its northern border.
Beijing has rebuffed claims of its complicity in the deadly trade, while Canada has countered that below one percent of undocumented migrants and fentanyl entering the United States comes through its northern border.
JPMorgan analysts believe tariffs are "a bargaining chip" to accelerate the renegotiation of a trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
JPMorgan analysts believe tariffs are "a bargaining chip" to accelerate the renegotiation of a trade deal between the United States, Mexico and Canada.
"However, potentially dismantling a decades-long free-trade area could be a significant shock," said a recent JPMorgan note.
"However, potentially dismantling a decades-long free-trade area could be a significant shock," said a recent JPMorgan note.
One lesson from Trump's first term was that policy changes could be announced or threatened on short notice, it added.
One lesson from Trump's first term was that policy changes could be announced or threatened on short notice, it added.
Tariffs are paid by US businesses to the government on purchases from abroad and the economic weight can fall on importers, foreign suppliers or consumers.
Tariffs are paid by US businesses to the government on purchases from abroad and the economic weight can fall on importers, foreign suppliers or consumers.
Another looming deadline is April 1, by which Trump has called for reviews including on trade deficits.
Another looming deadline is April 1, by which Trump has called for reviews including on trade deficits.
- Recession risk -
Wendong Zhang, an assistant professor at Cornell University, said Canada and Mexico would suffer the most under 25 percent US tariffs and with proportional retaliations.
Wendong Zhang, an assistant professor at Cornell University, said Canada and Mexico would suffer the most under 25 percent US tariffs and with proportional retaliations.
"Canada and Mexico stand to lose 3.6 percent and two percent of real GDP respectively, while the US would suffer a 0.3 percent real GDP loss," he added.
"Canada and Mexico stand to lose 3.6 percent and two percent of real GDP respectively, while the US would suffer a 0.3 percent real GDP loss," he added.
Blanket US tariffs and Ottawa's response in kind could cause Canada to fall into a recession this year, Tony Stillo of Oxford Economics told AFP, adding that the United States also risks a shallow downturn.
Blanket US tariffs and Ottawa's response in kind could cause Canada to fall into a recession this year, Tony Stillo of Oxford Economics told AFP, adding that the United States also risks a shallow downturn.
Mexico could face a similar situation, Tim Hunter of Oxford Economics added.
Mexico could face a similar situation, Tim Hunter of Oxford Economics added.
It is unclear if there could be exceptions. Trump said he expected to decide Thursday whether to include crude oil imports in the new levies.
It is unclear if there could be exceptions. Trump said he expected to decide Thursday whether to include crude oil imports in the new levies.
Canada and Mexico supplied more than 70 percent of US crude oil imports, said a Congressional Research Service report.
Canada and Mexico supplied more than 70 percent of US crude oil imports, said a Congressional Research Service report.
Stillo noted that heavy oil is "exported by Canada, refined in the US, and there aren't easy substitutes for that in the US."
Stillo noted that heavy oil is "exported by Canada, refined in the US, and there aren't easy substitutes for that in the US."
US merchandise imports from both countries largely enter duty free or with very low rates on average, said the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE).
US merchandise imports from both countries largely enter duty free or with very low rates on average, said the Peterson Institute for International Economics (PIIE).
A tariff hike would shock both industrial buyers and consumers, cutting across everything from machinery to fruits, PIIE added.
A tariff hike would shock both industrial buyers and consumers, cutting across everything from machinery to fruits, PIIE added.
Canadian officials said Ottawa would provide pandemic-level financial support to workers and businesses if US tariffs hit, vowing their readiness to respond.
Canadian officials said Ottawa would provide pandemic-level financial support to workers and businesses if US tariffs hit, vowing their readiness to respond.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she was confident her country could avoid the levy.
Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said she was confident her country could avoid the levy.
But Trump's commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick said Wednesday "there will be no tariff" if Canada and Mexico acted on immigration and fentanyl.
But Trump's commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick said Wednesday "there will be no tariff" if Canada and Mexico acted on immigration and fentanyl.
- 'Grand bargain' -
Trump is also mulling more tariffs on Chinese goods.
Trump is also mulling more tariffs on Chinese goods.
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters this week: "The president has said that he is very much still considering that for February 1st."
White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt told reporters this week: "The president has said that he is very much still considering that for February 1st."
Beijing has vowed to defend its "national interests," and a foreign ministry spokeswoman previously warned that "there are no winners in a trade war."
Beijing has vowed to defend its "national interests," and a foreign ministry spokeswoman previously warned that "there are no winners in a trade war."
On the election campaign trail, Trump raised the idea of levies of 60 percent or higher on Chinese imports.
On the election campaign trail, Trump raised the idea of levies of 60 percent or higher on Chinese imports.
Isaac Boltansky of financial services firm BTIG expects "incremental tariff increases" on Chinese goods, with consumer goods likely to face lower hikes.
Isaac Boltansky of financial services firm BTIG expects "incremental tariff increases" on Chinese goods, with consumer goods likely to face lower hikes.
"Our sense is that Trump will vacillate between carrots and sticks with China, with the ultimate goal being some sort of grand bargain before the end of his term," he said in a recent note.
"Our sense is that Trump will vacillate between carrots and sticks with China, with the ultimate goal being some sort of grand bargain before the end of his term," he said in a recent note.
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