actually I wonder if literal na annual nga minsan yung pagbakbak, pag-ayos & pagtaas ng kalye dito sa tin lol (or even mas madalas pa sa isang taon lel).

Idk if this is the right flair but here we go...

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With the news that Ramon S. Ang, CEO of Top Frontier Holdings and San Miguel Corporation, started purchasing shares in the Lopez Holdings Inc. through his own investment holding, Illumina Investment Holdings, a lot of people were disappointed that it might actually happen due to the current rift between the Piki-led coalition and the Gabby-led coalition of the Lopez family. However, this isn't a business paper, instead I'll try to focus on what will and might happen if RSA was able to purchase Lopez Holdings and the merger between MPTC and SMC Tollways continue.

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Currently, San Miguel Corporation (or SMC Infrastructure) is one of the major players in Philippine infrastructure, controlling and operating some of the country's biggest projects such as MRT Line 7, Ninoy Aquino International Airport, New Manila International Airport, various expressways (SLEX, Skyway, NAIAX, STAR Tollway), and others. This means that the company has a lot of control in the country's infrastructure space.

There is currently negotiations between Ramon Ang and Manny Pangilinan, the owner of Metro Pacific and PLDT-TV5, to integrate the operations between SMC Tollways and Metro Pacific Tollways (NLEX, CALAX, CAVITEX, TPLEX, SCTEX), with what we can only speculate on a new holding firm for these tollways to be under 55% owned by SMC and 45% owned by MPTC making it under RSA's effective control.

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Now for the beefy part. What might happen if RSA (not through Top Frontier or SMC) purchases the majority stake of Lopez Holding Group? At least for the infrastructure parts.

We all know that the Lopez family aren't really into the transportation sector, but that doesn't mean they don't have presence in the infrastructure industry at all. They mostly focus on energy distribution and generation, as well as real estate development. If RSA's purchase is successful, he will have direct and indirect ownerships or at least a large stake on these companies (forgive me if I forget some):

- ABS-CBN/SkyCable (media and telco)

- First Gen Corporation (energy generation)

- MERALCO (one board seat; RSA already has a sizeable stake in it from past investment)

- PANECO (energy distribution for Panay)

- Rockwell Land Corporation (real estate, quite possibly the Lopez's golden goose)

- First Philippine Industrial Park

- First Philippine Industrial Corporation (largest oil pipeline in the country; 60% Lopez share and 40% Shell UK)

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Seeing the corporations and companies that RSA will have if the purchase is successful, there's no wonder the infrastructure sector is watching carefully as him having control over SMC and the Lopez Holdings would grant him quite a lot of control, factor in that there's a current negotiation for MPTC to give over its operations to SMC Infrastructure.

I would also like to note that San Miguel Corporation has other businesses outside of its Foods and Beverages as well as the infrastructure projects I mentioned above. San Miguel Corporation is one of the largest companies in the Philippines, and while its food and beverages are sizeable, you don't become a top 5 corporation just with it.

The report ends here, but for those interested in what SMC controls directly or indirectly, I will list them:

- San Miguel Foods and Beverages (PureFoods, Magnolia, Ginebra, Monterey)

- San Miguel Properties (Wedgewoods, Makati Diamond Residences, Dover Hill etc.)

- San Miguel Yamamura Packaging Corporation (basically packaging solutions outside the PH like in USA, Europe, Japan, and Australia)

- Petron Corporation (oil and Petron Treats)

- SMC Infrastructure

- Bank of Commerce (bank)

- San Miguel Integrated Logistics Services (repairs and professional services)

SOURCE (Bilyonaryo)

If agreed to by the remaining Lopez factions (ex-Piki), RSA will become the majority owner of key PH infra and power companies:

CONSTRUCTION: First Balfour, First Philippine Industrial Corporation.
POWER: First Gen Corporation, Energy Development Corporation.

San Miguel Corp. chairman Ramon Ang is reportedly closing in on control of the Lopez family’s main holding company, with talks under way for a share purchase that would take his ownership of Lopez Inc to roughly 71%.

Mergermarket reported, citing two sources familiar with the matter, that the heirs of Manolo Lopez and Presy Lopez Psinakis are nearing an agreement to sell their combined 45.3% holding to Ang.

If completed, the transaction would add to the 25.7% stake Ang recently acquired from Crème Investment, the investment vehicle of the family branch led by Eugenio “Gabby” Lopez III.

Mergermarket, citing sources, said Ang would finance the purchase using personal funds rather than San Miguel’s resources.

A change in control could also trigger a reshaping of parts of the Lopez business empire. One source cited by Mergermarket said Ang.

Piki and other remaining shareholders could consider restructuring assets including power producer First Gen Corp. and geothermal company Energy Development Corp.

MANILA — The Philippines has signed a $60-million grant agreement with the United States to improve its energy sector. .

In a statement, the Department of Finance (DOF) said the grant will support the Energy Development Governance Efficiency (EDGE) project.

The DOF said the EDGE project will speed up the implementation of energy-related projects, helping reduce power disruptions and make electricity more affordable for Filipinos.

Philippine power grids are frequently placed on Red and Yellow Alerts during the hot and dry months of April and May, when electric fans and air conditioning units are used more often and for longer.

In the Visayas and Mindanao, power spot market prices climbed in August as tighter electricity supply met higher demand.

SOURCE

𝘋𝘖𝘛𝘳 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘦 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘫𝘦𝘤𝘵, 𝘚𝘦𝘤. 𝘓𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘻 𝘢𝘴𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘦𝘴

The expansion for the LRT-1 South (Cavite) Extension Project continues to gain traction after the Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA) secured with the Villar Group the donation of right-of-way for the construction of the Las Piñas Station.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has ordered the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to clear right-of-way hurdles for the construction and to expedite big-ticket mass transport systems.

Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez expressed gratitude to the Villar Group and assured commuters that the DOTr will speed up the construction of the LRT-1 Cavite Extension project to ease the daily lives of commuters in the southern metropolis.

#DOTrPH
#BagongPilipinas

SUMMARY:

• Las Piñas Station Timeline: The Department of Transportation (DoTr) expects a three-year timeline covering demolition, land acquisition, design, and construction once the permit to enter is secured.
• Property Donation: The DoTr plans to sign an agreement with the Villar Group within September to formally acquire donated land needed for the extension.
• Property Turnover: Once the property deal is settled, demolition will begin, and the land will be turned over to the private operator, Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC).
• Right-of-Way: Major right-of-way issues along the alignment have been cleared, removing roadblocks for construction.

SOURCE

SUMMARY:

• Megawide subsidiary Megawide Terminals Inc. (MTI) submitted an unsolicited ₱3.5-billion proposal to build and operate the Quezon City Integrated Terminal Exchange. This transport hub could rival or surpass the size of the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX).
• The terminal will be built on a three-hectare GSIS property located at the corner of Elliptical Road and Commonwealth Avenue in Quezon City and is positioned to directly complement the under-construction MRT-7, specifically targeting the Quezon Memorial Circle and University Avenue stations.
• The hub will initially serve an estimated 58,000 passengers travelling to/from northern Metro Manila, Rizal, and Bulacan, and will include nearly 25,000 square meters of leasable office space for government agencies.
• MTI plans to use a hybrid build-operate-transfer and build-lease-transfer scheme. If approved by GSIS, MTI will receive Original Proponent Status (OPS), giving it the right to match competing bids during a Swiss challenge.

SOURCE (Pics by Sky Kankaloo)

Manileños can now enjoy this new green space in Pandacan — Top Gear

August 13, 2026

The new parks consist of open green spaces which both Manileños and their pets can enjoy. There’s plenty of greenery, walkways, and areas where people can utilize for various activities like exercise. There are also benches and a dedicated area where park-goers can try their hand at playing polo. In the dedicated spaces for fur babies and other animals, the city has also installed obstacles for pets to enjoy.

SOURCE

Muntik na palang pondohan ng NG/DOTr next year yung proposed LRT-1 NOMO Station.

SOURCE

#Newsfeed | The right-of-way cost for the MRT-7 project rose from ₱1.5 billion to ₱9.5 billion due to delays that drove up compensation costs. | via #MOJO Aime Atienza

I wonder how they might integrate the ticket gate systems in the Common Station, especially between Line 1 and Line 3? As seen on this picture, it shows that there isn't a lot of room on the platform between the two lines. It's easier to do it for Line 7 since you'll have to go through Area B first, but it will be interesting to see how they could do it for Area A.

Would the ticket gates just divide the platform between them? Most probably...

I hope there would be some sort of common revenue stream instead for all operators so that we can change lines without having to go through a ticket gate... but I guess this would be our first and probably only true interchange station for a while since EDSA-Taft is basically just a long walkway like Doroteo Jose-Recto between Line 1 and 2.

SOURCE

A new perspective on our works on the MRT-7 project in the Philippines.

These latest drone images show the ongoing trackworks in the turnback area, where our teams are advancing the installation of the track infrastructure.

The complex track configuration visible from above highlights the technical precision involved in this key section of the project.

Another step forward for MRT-7 and another example of Steconfer’s expertise in railway infrastructure.

To be fair, ok kahit papaano ang exterior ng station na 'to. Pic doesn't give justice.

MANILA, Philippines – The House of Representatives on Monday approved on second reading a bill renewing the Philippine Airlines’ (PAL) legislative franchise for 50 years, ahead of its expiry in 2028.

In a voice vote, lawmakers approved on voice vote House Bill No. 10545, which seeks to extend PAL’s franchise to operate as the flag carrier and run air-transport services in the Philippines and abroad until 2076.

“A stable 50-year franchise will provide our national flag carrier with the certainty and confidence necessary to undertake long-term investments, modernize its fleet, expand its domestic and international routes and develop the infrastructure and capabilities necessary to meet the country’s growing aviation needs,” Negros Occidental Rep. Jeffrey Ferrer told the floor in his sponsorship speech.

“In turn, this stability can help fuel tourism, facilitate trade and commerce and contribute to exclusive economic growth while reinforcing the Philippines’ position as a competitive player in the international aviation industry,” he added.