Ternate - Nasugbu Tunnel: Map and Opening Date (Kaybiang Tunnel)
13 May 2013
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| The Cavite side of Kaybiang Tunnel almost ready for the grand opening |
For an online map of Ternate-Nasugbu Tunnel, click here. Herewith is the map of Kaybiang Tunnel as mapped by the cool guys of OpenStreetMap
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| Kaybiang Tunnel Map (shown along the green road map) Ternate - Nasugbu Tunnel |
How to get there:
Just follow these directions to Ternate-Nasugbu by taking Roxas Boulevard, Coastal Road, CavitEx, exit at Kawit, take Centennial Road, Antero Soriano Highway, Governor's Drive, Caylabne road and Ternate-Nasugbu Road. You will pass by the Cavite tows of Kawit, Tanza, Naic, Maragondon and Ternate while after the tunnel you will reach the southwestern towns of Batangas: Nasugbu, Lian, Calatagan, Balayan, Calaca and onwards.
You will also pass by beach resorts in Ternate (Caylabne, Puerto Azul, Tali Beach) and faster travel to famous resorts in Nasugbu, Batangas (Pico de Loro, Club Punta Fuego, Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Munting Buhangin, Canyon Cove Beach Resort)
Ternate - natugbu Tunnel will open on July 1, 2013 (unless further delays in construction occurs. This tunnel was conceptualized during the time of President Fidel V. Ramos)
Labels: Roads and Highways
posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:39 PM,
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Camp and Day Tour at Canigao Island Resort, Matalom, Leyte (Rates, Entrance Fee, How to Get There)
12 May 2013
The island can be reached from the town of Bato by short southbound jeepney ride from Bato transport terminal then a short boat ride to the island.
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| The "welcome arch" and lifeguard station on Canigao Island where you can also see the resort telephone numbers |
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| the main beach with Matalom locals, facing the seashore of Matalom Town of Leyte Island |
Canigao Island Review:
The island is worth the visit by backpackers for a cheap place to stay, meet locals and eat seafood at low prices. The beach has fine white sand (though not as fine as you other famous beaches) it's actually good enough to stay a day or camp out overnight. There is barangay tanod (security) at the place, the beachfront is clean, even crystal clear water without any sign of pollution.
From Canigao Island, you can also do some sort of Leyte Island-Hopping by visiting Calanggaman Island in Palompon or the Quatro Islas (four islands) of Inopacan town: Digyo Island, Apid Island, Mahaba Island, and Himokilan Island
Canigao Island Resort:
Contact Number: +63.949.913.7893; +63.908.682.5781
Telephone Number: +63.53.569.9077
For reservation: +63.919.495.8961
The are no private rooms on Canigao Island, you can only find a camp site and a tent rental facility if you want an overnight camping stay. There's a small canteen serving snacks and softdrinks, water, juices but most of your food like fresh seafood, fishes can be ordered at the nearby pier (like the fish locally called mulmul and balyong sea shell, and bolinao fish)
Canigao Island Rates:
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| Canigao Island Resort rates/entrance fee/price for cottage/overnight, chair/table rental, camping tent posted This is also where you pay your entrance fee |
How to get to Canigao Island, Matalom, Leyte:
For a map of Canigao Island via OpenStreetMap, please click here (map was updated by Tutubi when he visited the place, do help out in updating the best online map of the Philippines)
1. Book a flight to Tacloban (either ZestAir, Cebu Pacific or Philippine Airlines/PAL Express) or a ferry (2Go Travel) or an overnight ferry to Bato, Leyte (from Cebu or Ubay Bohol)
2. At Tacbloban Airport, ride the San Jose jeepney to Tacloban Transport terminal
3. At the terminal, take the shuttle/van/fx to Bato
4. at Bato terminal, ride the jeepney that goes to Matalom town and request the driver to drop you off to the road of Canigao Island (fare: minimum), travel time is about fifteen minutes
5. Walk to the pier or take a tricycle (minimum fare)
6. Take the short banca ride to Can Island
Labels: Beaches, Eastern Visayas, Islands, Leyte, Leyte Resorts
posted by backpacking philippines @ 11:08 PM,
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Bato, Leyte to Cebu/Ubay, Bohol Ferry: Schedule and Fare
11 May 2013
Overnight ferry trips saves on accommodations cost as you spend the night at sea while only paying the ferry fare.
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ticket reservations the seaport/pier of Bato, Leyte |
Bato Leyte to Ubay, Bohol Ferry:
Shipping Company: Medallion Transport
Trip Schedule: daily trip at 9pm
Travel Time to Ubay Bohol: 6 hours
Terminal: Pier 3 in Ubay, Bohol
Ferry Fare: PhP270.00 (economy), PhP290.00 (tourist)
Our lady of Angels and Oour Lady of Guadalupe
Fare: PhP245.00, PhP265.00; PhP280.00, PhP350.00, PhP500.00
(sitting, economy a, economy b, tourist, cabin)
Bato, Leyte to Cebu Ferry:
Ship: Fiji2
Trip Schedule: daily at 9pm
Fare: PhP265.00 (2nd Class), PhP220.00 (3rd Class)
Super Shuttle Ferry also serves the following ferry routes:
Ubay, Bohol to Maasin Leyte;
Cebu to Ormoc, Leyte;
Bogo, Cebu to Palompon, Leyte (Office contact number: +63.916.905.2348)
Lipata, Surigao to Liloan, Leyte
Labels: Ferries, Public Transportation
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:55 PM,
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Election Day SM Mall Hours on May 13, 2013: Mall of Asia, Megamall, Trinoma, Robinsons, Walter Mart
10 May 2013
Please make your vote count where it matters most for the benefit of our country and all, not your own pocket for just a day yet suffer for three years or longer. You probably know what I mean
If you didn't vote, you have no right to complain about elected officials, except if you were in extraordinary circumstances

From the official SM Supermalls Facebook Page:
"Please be guided that on Election Day, May 13, our malls will open at 12NN except for SM Mall of Asia Official / Podium (12NN-10PM), SM Center Pasig (12NN-11PM), SM by the Bay (4PM-12MN) and SM Marketmall Dasmariñas (12NN-9PM, Wet & Dry Market – Normal Operating Hours / Bagsakan – Normal Operating Hours)"
Ayala Malls Schedule on May 13, 2013:
Malls open at 10am to 9pm
Trinoma Mall, Abreeza Mall (Davao), Ayala Center Cebu, Marquee Mall (Angeles City Pampanga), Greenbelt Mall, Glorietta, Market! Market!
No information yet on WalterMart and Robinsons Malls (Galleria, Forum Robinsons, Robinsons Place), Eastwood Mall, The Podium, Sta Lucia, 168 Mall, Lucky Chinatown Mall, 999 Mall, Victory Mall, Gaisano Mall, Power Plant Mall,
SM City Manila, SM Sta. Mesa, SM Baguio, SM Calamba, SM Novaliches, SM Aura, SM Makati, SM Bicutan, SM SouthMall, SM
City North EDSA, SM Cebu, SM Davao, SM Bacolod, SM Iloilo, SM Batangas, SM Lipa
related post:
May 13, 2013 is a Special Non-working Holiday
Labels: Floobydust
posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:53 PM,
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Laguna: How to Get to Taytay Falls, Majayjay: Map, Entrance Fee, Camping
01 May 2013
This travel guide to Taytay falls is for those souls looking at fresh information how to get there, what to expect and the usual entrance fee/environmental fee, overnight camping and parking rates.
Travel Guide: Taytay Falls in Majayjay, Laguna:
Taytay falls entrance fee: PhP30.00 (some call this environmental fee)
Car parking fee: PhP40.00
Camping: you can pitch your own tent on the best place you can see near the falls
Notes and reviews:
1. The water here is too cold, too cold even for the cold-resistant Tutubi 10 years ago that he wasn't able to swim too long in the ice-cold water from Mt. Banahaw.
2. There are too many people on weekends, much more during Holy Week. It's sad that people leave their garbage instead of bringing them back and personally throw at trash cans.
3. There are toilets available but not for the squeamish, with running water of course.
4. Information and picture of Taytay Falls provided by Tutubi's cousin who recently camped out overnight at the place.
5. You may combine this place with Pagsanjan Falls, Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex and Panguil River Eco-park for your Laguna tour itinerary.
How to get to Majayjay, Laguna:
The street map of Taytay Falls in barangay Gagalot, please click here. You can trace back to Majayjay town proper or from Lucban. If you have a GPS navigator (or even an iPhone/iPad/Ipod or Android device with GPS app), you can point it to these coordinates: 14° 6.618N 121° 30.45E and get there without asking questions.On Commuting to Majayjay, Laguna, please click this link on How to Get to Laguna to reach Majayjay town.
In Majayjay town proper, you need to take another jeep with signboard Gagalot to take you to Barangay Gagalot where the jump-off point to Taytay falls can be found.
On reaching Gagalot, you need to pay the entrance fee then walk (on concrete pathway and steps) for a few hundred meters to get to the waterfall.
Driving Directions to Majayjay, Laguna:
from Quezon City, it's recommended to take the scenic Rizal route via Marcos Highway, Sumulong passing through the city of Antipolo, the Rizal towns of Teresa, Baras, Morong, Tanay, Pililla, and the Laguna towns of Mabitac, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan, Lumban, Pagsanjan then you turn left on reaching Pagsanjan Public Market (landmark: Jollibee), pass by the town of Magdalena before reaching Majayjay town proper.
From Makati or southern cities of Manila, take SLEx and exit at Calamba (toll fee: PhP218.00 class 1 vehicle), head towards SM City Calamba then turn right. Follow the highway passing through the towns of Los Banos, Bay, Calauan, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, then turn left when you see GSIS Pagsanjan and Jollibee, pass by the town of Magdalena before reaching Majayjay town proper.
In Majayjay town proper, follow this map to get there.
On reaching Gagalot, park your vehicle and pay the entrance fee (PhP30.00) and parking fee (PhP40.00) then walk (on concrete pathway and steps) for a few hundred meters to get to the waterfall.
If you noticed, Tutubi is trying to finish all travel guides to interesting places in Laguna :P
Labels: Calabarzon, Laguna, Travel Guides, Waterfalls
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:30 PM,
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Cebu Pacific Piso Fare Promo/Seat Sale Alert
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| Add caption |
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| Cebu Pacific Piso Fare/Seat Sale Fares |
Dubbed May Juan is Labor Day!
Seat Sale Fares:
P1 on all Philippine Destinations
P100 on all international destinations
Sale period: May 1 - May 3, 2013
No Information on travel period
Book your flights early to get the Cebu Pacific Piso fare promo and fly almost for free to your destination.
Tutubi is not joining though, he can fly but his schedule won't always permit him to :(
posted by backpacking philippines @ 1:00 AM,
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Laguna: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex: Entrance Fee/Permit, Map, How to Get There
23 April 2013
The information and picture posted herewith are provided by Tutubi's friends in Laguna who were able to get there since it opened to the public on April 1, 2013 (of all dates).
Travel Guide: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex
Tutubi knows how to get to Cavinti, either via public transportation or by private car, finding the site is not hard for him come his turn to actually visit the site. Other information will be posted once available and reviewed by his sources of information.
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| The poster of Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex, good there are people on the image to add scale |
Travel Guide: Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex Tour in a nutshell:
1. Make a reservation for an entrance pass to the Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex by contacting Cavinti Tourism office. Email advance booking/reservations to this email address: lgucavinti@gmail.com
Reservations are limited to 10 persons per group. Contact number and official website will be posted once available.
2. Confirm your permit to tour Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex by getting your permit personally, though your authorized representative or package tour operator. You need to pay the entrance fee of PhP10.00/person (called environmental fee) Walk-in visitors are NOT guaranteed visitors entry permit. The visitors permit confirmation and payment can be paid at Cavinti Municipal Hall in weekdays and at Bumbungan Ecopark on weekends.
3. Go to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex on your reserved date. Bring proper identification cards (school ID accepted)
4. Enjoy the tour but do observe the rules posted at the site particularly do not touch stalactites, stalagmites and columns inside the Cavinti caves
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| a giant stalactite of Kwebang Puti (stalactites hang from the ceiling, stalagmites are on the ground, and a column occurs when the cave roof and floor are joined together |
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| The Laguna underground river has mini-waterfalls inside gushing with cold natural mineral water |
How to Get to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex
(Tutubi will create the map via OpenStreetMap once he gets to the place and will post waypoint/GPS coordinates later). An interactive map of Cavinti (helped updated by Tutubi with the cool guys of OpenStreetMap Philippines) can be found here where you can trace back to your origin and jump-off point.
How to Get to Cavinti, Laguna from Manila:
1.0 How to Commute by bus and jeepney
1.1 Commute to Sta. Cruz, Laguna by Bus
From Cubao Quezon City, take HM Transport or DLTB bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna (Bus Fare via HM Transport is PhP148.50)
1.2 From Pasay, near LRT Gil Puyat station, take Green Star Express or DLTB bus to Sta. Cruz, Laguna
Bus fare:, travel time is around 3 hours. Bus fare via DLTB is PhP132.00 while via Green Star express is PhP140.50 (yes, DLTB is cheaper plus free Wi-fi Internet)
1.3 In Sta. Cruz, ride a jeepney to Cavinti and request the driver to drop you off at Bumbungan Eco-Park (fare is about PhP20.00, travel time about 40 minutes) which is near a bridge over Bumbungan River (the river that feeds Pagsanjan Falls)
2.0 Driving Directions to Cavinti, Laguna
from Quezon City, it's recommended to take the scenic Rizal route via Marcos Highway, Sumulong passing through the city of Antipolo, the Rizal towns of Teresa, Baras, Morong, Tanay, Pililla, and the Laguna towns of Mabitac, Famy, Siniloan, Pangil, Pakil, Paete, Kalayaan.
After passing by the elevated portion of Manila East Road in Kalayaan town, you will need to turn left and pass by Caliraya-Cavinti Road until you reach Bumbungan Eco-park. This route, from Trinoma, takes about 3 hours travel time.
From Makati or southern cities of Manila, take SLEx and exit at Calamba (toll fee: PhP218.00 class 1 vehicle), head towards SM City Calamba then turn right. Follow the highway passing through the towns of Los Banos, Bay, Calauan, Victoria, Pila, Sta. Cruz, Pagsanjan and Lumban. After passing Lumban Public Market (and a police checkpoint barrier), choose the right fork of the road going to Lake Caliraya. Continue until you reach Bumbungan EcoPark which is the jump-off point to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex
as of posting time, Pagsanjan Bridge near Pagsanjan Municipal Hall is under construction, you need to take the alternate route to Cavinti via Lumban and Caliraya Lake thus the direction provided above.
3.0 To get to Cavinti Underground River and Caves Complex from Cavinti, you still need to ride a jeepney (rent one (rental rates vary but about PhP200.00/person) or drive to the caves if you're adventurous and have a 4x4 vehicle) for 14 kilometers on bumpy, dirt road then trek for 2 kilometers (about 30 minutes walk over a dirt road) to get to the actual newly-discovered cave. (this is already easy compared to the previous 4-5 hour trek when the dirt road was not there)
4.0 The final travel part of Cavinti spelunking adventure is a short bamboo raft ride (balsa) to cross the Lalangawan River to reach the cave entrance which is near the boundary of Cavinti, Laguna and Mauban, Quezon
Notes:
1. The road from Cavinti town proper going to the site is not paved, only 4x4 vehicles (for off-road) or jeepneys can traverse it.
2. Bring your own high powered flashlight or gas lamp as it's dark inside the caves
3. At present, this is still undeveloped, tourism facilities are inadequate, guides are ill-equipped, area is restricted to 50 tourists (non-Cavinti residents) but cave entrance fee is still cheap at PhP10.00/person
4. There's an underground river and waterfalls inside but most parts of the cave complex and chambers remain unexplored, wildlife (if there are animals, lizards, snakes, pythons, spiders) taking refuge inside not yet documented
4. There are hotels and resorts near Cavinti particularly Pagsanfalls resorts or resorts in Lake Caliraya for you to spend the night, wash yourself or overnight accommodations.
5. You can take a swim in the Lalangawan River with cold mountain water and huge rocks and boulders
This will be updated from time to time to remain fresh and current. Tutubi's planned tour of this new "place to see in Laguna" last April 20 didn't push through due to the new rule on reservation and with fully-booked place for tour bookings.
Labels: Calabarzon, Caves, Ecotourism, Laguna, Spelunking, Travel Guides
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:00 PM,
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How to Get to NAIA Terminal 1 and 2: Map Bus Commute Route, Directions, Parking
22 April 2013
The recommended option to get to Manila Airport Terminal 1 and 2, for those with very limited budget and the cheapest way to get there, is via the bus on EDSA with signboard MIA 611 Tambo which can be found even from Monumento end of EDSA in Caloocan City.
For reference, please click this map centered on EDSA Ayala Avenue and Magallanes. The map shown below, taken from OpenStreetMap, shows NAIA Terminal 1 (left) and NAIA Terminal 2 (right corner) and roads linking them to Roxas Blvd and EDSA. This same map can be browsed interactively here
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| Map of Manila Airport's NAIA Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 showing the main roads going there. Note that there's no MMDA number coding on these major roads too. |
MIA 611 Tambo Bus route from EDSA Ayala Avenue:
These buses cross Pasay Road
Cross Magallanes (Pasong Tamo extension)
Cross Taft Avenue (Pasay Rotonda)
Cross Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard (Macapagal Avenue)
Go around SM Mall of Asia Globe (Rotonda)
Right Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard (Macapagal Avenue)
Right Seaside Drive
Cross Roxas Boulevard to NAIA Road (formerly MIA Road)
Cross Quirino Avenue
Cross Domestic Road [Old Nayong Pilipino]
Detour NAIA Terminal 1
Return to NAIA Road (MIA Road)
Left to Ninoy Aquino Avenue
Detour NAIA Terminal 2
Return to to Ninoy Aquino Avenue
Left NAIA Road (formerly MIA Road)
Cross Domestic road, Tambo Bridge and Quirino Avenue
Right Roxas Boulevard
Pass Redemptorist Road and Baclaran Church (National Shrine of Our Lady of Perpetual Help)
Right to EDSA towards return destination
From Quezon City, it's best to just take the LRT (via LRT EDSA Station) or the MRT (via MRT Taft Avenue Station) then ride a bus
with signboard MIA 611 Tambo
Getting Out of NAIA Terminal 1 and NAIA Terminal 2:
From the arrival gates, you need to walk to the road where the buses are waiting for passengers. There are direction signs posted at the gates and you can always ask the security guards or information counters at Manila Airport lounges.
These buses will take you to several bus stations on EDSA, Taft, Rotonda including Victory Liner (on other side of EDSA, you need to cross a pedestrian bridge near EDSA Tramo (Aurora Boulevard), these buses go to Olongapo City, Zambales, Baguio City), best to take a taxi going there from Manila Airport terminal), DLTB (Batangas City), Five Star, Philtranco (Bicol routes), Dimple Star, Alfonso Liner, Gold Line Transit, Genesis Transport, Celyrosa, Ceres Transport,
If you're going to to get to Manila South Harbor (South Pier 15, SuperFerrry or 2Go ferry) or Manila North Harbor (North Pier 2, 4, 6, 8, etc, Romblon Shipping Lines, Negros Navigation etc) , you can ride the bus back to EDSA and alight at LRT Taft Avenue. Ride the LRT up to Carried Station then transfer to a jeep with signboard Pier. It will drop you near the gate of Manila South Harbor.
Note:
for those with private cars looking for driving directions, there's no MMDA number coding on the roads around the NAIA terminals including: NAIA Road, Domestic road, Andrews Avenue, Sales Street, Coastal Road.
Overnight Parking rates at NAIA Terminal 1 and NAIA Terminal 2 is still PhP50.00. Day parking rates cost PhP35.00
Related Posts on Manila Airport:
How to Get to Manila Airport
How to Get to NAIA Terminal 3
Hotels Near Manila Airport
Manila Airport Transfer
Labels: Airports, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Travel Guides
posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:30 PM,
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Manila: Saturday Market @ ESCOLTA (First United Building)
21 April 2013
SaturdayMarket@ESCOLTA Information and poster
"Let's us all visit the SaturdayMarket@ESCOLTA this April 27, 2013. It will open at 9AM. Together we can all help in creating awareness for the street! Tag, share and spread the word! This fun-filled activity will not only show you interesting finds but will also be a trip down memory lane :-) Experience the street and bring home historic memories.
When: April 27, 2013 9AM-5PM
Where: 413 First United Building, Escolta Street
Binondo, Manila
Pre-loved; vintage items will be sold!"
How to Get to Escolta, Manila:
the street in Binondo district of Manila can be reached from Sta. Cruz via LRT Carriedo Station where you can just walk towards Sta. Cruz Church to find the eastern end of Escolta.
Jeepneys from Taft Avenue and Mabini with signboard Avenida, Rizal Avenue or Monumento pass by Sta. Cruz, alight near the foot of MacArthur Bridge then walk to Escolta. Likewise, jeepneys going Divisoria from taft Avenue and Mabini will pass by the other end of Escolta. Just alight after crossing Jones Bridge then walk to Escolta.
First United Building used to be called Perez-Samanillo Building, it was built by Andres Luna de San Pedro, the son of Juan Luna.
Labels: Shopping
posted by backpacking philippines @ 9:30 PM,
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Manila to Clark Airport Bullet Train, Anyone?
It's a proposed Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) project by Manny V. Pangilinan (MVP) Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC) finance the $3-billion Clark-Metro Manila project.
Proposed Project Information per the National Economic Development Authority (NEDA):
Proponent: Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC)
Name: Express Airport Trains
Description of Plan: Construct a bullet train line with the the new railways between the lanes of the North Luzon Expressway (NLEx)
Proposed Stops/Terminals: at least three stops in Metro Manila: Balintawak or near TriNoMa or SM North in Quezon City; Manila like Dimasalang or University of Sto. Tomas; and Makati at Buendia Avenue.
Project Benefits: cut travel time from 2 hours to only 45 minutes to transport passengers from Clark to Manila, and vice versa.
Project cost: US3,000,000,000.00
Target Completion Date: N/A
Comments:
Bullet Trains are expensive, much like Japan's Shinkansen, where train fares are almost equal to airfares. Japan's bullet train technology is also mature, safe and efficient and designed to handle even strong earthquakes.
How about connecting Clark Airport to NAIA (Ninoy Aquino International Airport) and probably beyond Clark to say Baguio but it depends on economic sense and feasibility. A bullet train to Bicol crossing to Visayas and Mindanao may be there too, but someday, when the economy grows
for Tutubi, this is just a pipe dream...it's still an early proposal and may take years like other government projects.
Labels: Floobydust
posted by backpacking philippines @ 8:30 PM,
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