The Makati City government on Thursday launched the Makatizen mobile app which will allow residents access to programs and event announcements, shopping promos, and information on starting a business, among other features. “As we celebrate our (374th) founding anniversary, we also look to the future as the city that sets the pace of the country—and that includes engaging our residents at the speed of digital through the Makatizen app,” Mayor Abby Binay said. The digital citizen app was proposed by Neo-Converge ICT Solutions Inc. under a public-private partnership program. It runs on the digital platform of Voyager Innovations. Residents can use the app without incurring data charges when they use Smart, TNT and Sun mobile. The app is initially available for Android phones via the Google Play Store. On Tuesday, City Hall launched the Makatizen unified identification card in partnership with Globe Telecom. —Erika Sauler
Naia Expressway fully open—DPWH
The Naia Expressway is now fully open to connect Ninoy Aquino International Airport’s Terminals 1, 2 and 3 to Cavitex, Skyway, and Entertainment City, the Department of Public Works and Highways announced on Thursday. “A total of 17 off and on ramps have been constructed along strategic locations at Villamor Airbase, Resorts World, Naia Terminal 3, Miaa Road, Imelda Avenue, Cavitex, Seaside Drive and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard,” Public Works Secretary Mark Villar said. The Expressway project is expected to reduce travel time from SLEx to Naia from 1 hour to 20 minutes, he added. The P20.45-billion project is a four-lane, 12.65-km elevated expressway (including ramps) and 2.22-km at-grade road traversing Sales, Andrews, Parañaque River, Miaa Road and Diosdado Macapagal Boulevard. The opening of Ramp 1 and 17, which provide access to Alabang and Makati, is expected to complement the existing Naia expressway network, which already connected Macapagal and Pagcor Entertainment City to Naia 1, 2, and 3 and Skyway. “The two ramps will be toll-free for 30 days,” Villar said.
‘Jumper’ survives 3-story fall at Naia
A man who missed his domestic flight at Ninoy Aquino International Airport sustained injures after making a three-story jump from the departure area around 7 p.m. on Wednesday. It was not immediately known what drove the 27-year-old man to jump, but airport officials said the Cebu-bound passenger was supposed to get on an 11 p.m. flight on Tuesday, May 30. According to the Manila International Airport Authority, he was initially seen roaming around the Terminal 3 departure area until a female security guard saw him going over the railings. He landed on the arrival area and, still conscious, received emergency treatment at the airport for pain in the lower torso. He was brought to Pasay General Hospital for multiple fractures. He was later discharged and fetched by his brother. —Jeannette I. Andrade