LRT System reaches Bacoor in Cavite

MANILA, Philippines — With Metro Manila’s insufficient network of trains, the consortium of Ayala Corporation and Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) brings good news to commuters: The construction of the P64.9-billion ($1.37-billion) Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT1) extension from Baclaran to Bacoor, Cavite will begin in June.

House and Lot for Sale

This was after the group of Ayala and MPIC – Light Rail Manila Consortium (LRMC) – on Friday, February 12, signed the P24-billion ($506.02-million) loan facility and the engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) agreement for the LRT1 Cavite extension deal.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) awarded the LRT1 Cavite extension project to the LRMC in September 2014.

"These milestone agreements give us significant headway towards the construction and commissioning of the much-awaited Cavite Extension which will benefit an additional 300,000 passengers from four big cities in southern Manila," LRMC president and CEO Jesus Francisco said.

LRMC signed the 15-year Omnibus Loan and Security Agreement with Metropolitan Bank & Trust Company (Metrobank), Security Bank Corporation and Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation (RCBC), with P15.3 billion ($322.59-million) of the total loan amount allocated for the Cavite extension and P8.7 billion ($183.44-million) for the rehabilitation of the existing LRT1 system.

Stalled relocation of illegal settlers

But according to Francisco, unfinished right-of-way acquisition and stalled relocation of illegal settlers take a toll on the construction of the LRT1 Cavite extension.

"Our main concern is that there are still some ISFs – illegal settlers. But we got the report of the grantors that by April, they expect to do relocation of most of them, if not all of them," Francisco said.

As of today, the chief of LRMC said the government has delivered about 95% of the right-of-way acquisition.

IMUS HOUSE FOR SALE

"We think that the stations will come later, but first we have to start building the carriage way. April is when they said they would address the problems of the ISF. If they can really move, by June 1 we will be able to start," Francisco told reporters on the sidelines of a briefing in Makati City.

French firms as contractors

LRMC took on French companies Bouygues Travaux Publics and Alstom Transport Private Limited to help build the extension.

Francisco said that LRMC and contractors Bouyges Travaux Publics and Alstom Transport are set to commence the construction of the 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension once right of way is delivered by the DOTC and Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).

The extension is targeted for completion in about 4 years after the delivery of right-of-way.

The 11.7-kilometer Cavite extension will link with the existing system immediately south of the Baclaran Station, and run in a generally southerly direction to Niog, Cavite.

Eight new stations will be provided with 3 intermodal facilities across Pasay City, Paranaque City, Las Pinas City and Cavite.

The new stations are Aseana, MIA, Asia World, Ninoy Aquino, Dr Santos, Las Piñas, Zapote and Niog. The intermodal facilities will be located at Dr Santos, Zapote, and Niog.

The commercial speed of the Cavite extension will be 60 kilometers per hour.

LRMC said the new stations will be accessible to and from nearby community facilities such as shops, schools, stadium, and park.

Bouygues Travaux Publics, which will provide the railway infrastructure, is known globally for complex projects involving tunnels, engineering structures and road, port and rail infrastructure.

Among its recent projects are the Hong Kong–Zhuhai–Macao Bridge, the Port of Miami Tunnel, and the Nîmes-Montpellier rail bypass in France.

Under the agreement, Alstom will provide system integration and project management; build a new train depot; extend the existing depot complete with track works; and establish a new power supply, catenary lines, and signaling and telecommunications system.

Alstom will also modernize the signaling system of the existing 20.7-kilometer line, which runs from Roosevelt Avenue in Quezon City to Baclaran.
Source: Rappler.com

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Put extra life to your cellphone with power bank

A power bank is essentially an external battery in a sealed case. Powerbanks come with a USB cable; you connect it to a power source such as a laptop to charge the powerbank. Some charge via flip out blades for plugging into the wall. Here are more information about this wonderful gadget;

1) What’s power bank?

Power bank serve as an ‘extra battery’ or external charger for your phone or other electronic devices.

2) Where is power bank made from?

Majority of the power banks in the market are actually made in China.

3) How do I charge the power bank?

You can charge your power bank via the charger that came with your phone, computer usb port or using other power bank

4) How long do I need to charge the power bank?

It’s depending on the REAL CAPACITY of the power bank. The larger REAL CAPACITY, the longer charging time may required. Different charging methods may result different charging time as well. Charging with the original charger will be faster than charging with computer usb port.

5) Why sometime I need longer time to charge the same power bank?

Even though using the same charging method, the charging time may be differ due to environment,temperature, power flow and etc

6) What is mAh?

mAh mean milli Ampere Hour, the capacity of the power bank is measure with mAh

7) A 12000mAh REAL CAPACITY power bank, able to charge a 1500mAh capacity phone for 8 times full?

This is a common mistake make by most of the people. For rough calculation of the total charge time, kindly use this formula

REAL CAPACITY * conversion rate * phone battery health / phone capacity = total charge times

EXAMPLE: 12000 x 0.8 x 0.8 / 1500 = 5.12 charge times (0.5-1 times plus minus)

8) What’s conversation rate?

Conversation rate is the remaining percentage of the battery after the battery lost in heat or PCB operation.

9) What’s phone battery health?

In simple, it’s mean how‘healthy’ your phone battery is. Phone battery storage capacity will be lower and lower. That’s also the reason why our phone can last longer when it’s newly bought than after 3-6 months we used it. Different mobile phone models also will affect the calculation as some phone drain battery faster than the other.

10) What’s PCB?

PCB means Printed Circuit Board,its control all the operation flow inside the power bank. A good quality PCB will allow the power bank to charge more and have better durability

11) What’s 18650 power bank and what’s Li-Polymer power bank?

The common type will be 18650 and a better type will be Li-Polymer

12) What’s the different between 18650 and Li-Polymer?

- 18650 size and dimension are fix. Li-Polymer size and dimension are flexible.

- 18650 produce more heat. Li-Polymer are much more safer

- 18650 are cheaper. Li-Polymer are more expensive

- 18650 have higher self discharge rate.Li-Polymer have a very low self discharge rate

- 18650 battery durability will drop faster.  Li-Polymer battery capacity are more durable

13) What’s the common mAh use in 18650?

Common mAh use in 18650 is around 1300mAh to 2200mAh.

14) What’s the common REAL CAPACITY in 18650 power bank in the market?

- Power bank using 1pcs 18650 is 1200mAh – 2600mAh

- Power bank using 2pcs 18650 is 2500mAh – 4400mAh

- Power bank using 3pcs 18650 is 3750mAh – 6600mAh

- Power bank using 4pcs 18650 is 5200mAh – 8800mAh

- Power bank using 5pcs 18650 is 6500mAh –11000mAh

- Power bank using 6pcs 18650 is 7800mAh –13200mAh

- Power bank using 7pcs 18650 (no info)

- Power bank using 8pcs 18650 is 10400mAh –14400mAh

15) Is there any power bank use higher than 2200mAh per 18650?

Yes. There are, but it’s not common due to the expensive pricing.

16) What’s the different between branded power bank and generic power bank?

Branded power bank mostly sell in REAL CAPACITY. Generic power bank mostly sell in MARKING CAPACITY. That’s the reason why you will never see any branded power bank (standard size) have anything as high as 30000mAh – 50000mAh. That’s also the reason why a good 12000-13000mAh power bank are able to charge more or about the same like the market 30000-50000mAh power bank

17)  Is it true branded power bank won’t explode and generic power bank will explode?

Anything to do with battery, will have chance to explode. No matter it’s branded power bank or generic power bank.But chances for both branded and generic power bank to explode are near to 0%.If power bank is easy to explode, everyone will use power bank in war instead of bomb.

Source: Styefree Asia fb.

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7 Tips for Homebuyer About Negotiation Strategy

Negotiation strategy is different from negotiation style. From pit bull to diplomat, each of us has a personal style. But the strategy for negotiating the purchase of a home is based on facts: the real estate market at the moment of your attempt to purchase, the seller's requirements and the property itself (condition, amenities and comparative value in relation to other sold or listed properties).

The best real estate agents have tremendous expertise when it comes to market value in particular areas. In many instances, the most experienced agents have seen just about all the homes that have come on the market over the years. They also work with other agents and speak the same language. For buyers, that is the primary reason to work with an agent: They have the information and background to engage knowledgably in what can be a very intense, fast process.

Now, does that mean you can't undertake your own negotiation? Absolutely not. In fact, many buyers do. It means:

• Doing intensive research about the market, the property you want to buy and the seller's situation.
• Figuring out an appropriate negotiating strategy and style based on that information.

1. Setting strategy

The local market's condition is the single-most important factor in negotiation strategy. And just like the weather, the landscape is a crazy quilt of micro-climates. Markets vary from place to place and neighborhood to neighborhood. The first thing you need to know is what kind of market you are in: a buyer's market; a seller's market, a balanced market or a market where red-hot bidding wars ensue.

2. Negotiating in a buyer's market

You have more leverage in a buyers' market than any other market type because there are more homes for sale than buyers to make offers. For sellers, especially those who have to move for whatever reason, this is the most nerve-wracking market. Properties take longer to sell, so sellers are less likely to allow potential buyers to slip their grasp. They may hate your demands, but they need to sell, so you can assume control of the negotiation.

3. Buyer's market strategy: Ask for the moon

• Negotiate the home price. Make an offer at least 10 percent under the price you want to end up paying.
• Ask for seller-financed closing costs and a closing time convenient for you.
• You want all the appliances and the entertainment center? Ask for them.
• You'd really like the gas grill and flower pots on the deck? Go for it.

Buyer's tip: You're most likely to win concessions and personal property in a buyers' market.

4. Negotiating in a seller's market

Pit bulls beware. In a sellers' market, buyers don't have much clout, and style matters. If the seller has a desirable home and doesn't like your offer, he won't invest time in negotiating with you. In a sellers' market, a good strategy is to make a straightforward, “clean” offer.

Buyers cannot procrastinate once they've found a home they want. Any agent worth his commission will urge you to make a quick decision, perhaps drawing up an offer the same day you tour the property.

5. Sellers’ market strategy: Keep it simple

• Getting pre-approved for a loan is an essential first step in any market.
• Offer the asking price or close to it.
• Ask only for the standard contingencies — financing, appraisal and inspection — to protect yourself.
• Expect the seller to set the closing date to his advantage.
• Don't expect to receive the personal property you want. (But if the seller is planning a garage sale, you may be able to work a deal ahead of time.)

Buyer's tip:Forget the wrangling and go for the house. You'll feel lucky to get it.

6. Negotiating in a balanced market

A balanced market feels less like a pressure cooker because there is a more equal supply of homes and buyers. Because neither side is feeling market urgency, personal priorities reign. Expect the back-and-forth counteroffer phase to take longer than it does in either a buyers' or sellers' market. After several rounds of paperwork, buyer and seller might agree to do a 50-50 split of their differences on price, terms and personal property.

7. Balanced market strategy: Split your differences

• Offer less than the asking price.
• Include the standard financing and inspection contingencies.
• Offer terms beneficial to you.
• Ask for whatever personal property you want

Buyer's tip: Both buyer and seller are likely to feel good about the transaction. They will each gain and give up something in the spirit of compromise during the negotiation.
Source: Zillow.com

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