PRESIDENT Aquino's order to crack down reckless drivers is a case of "too little too late".

 

Had Malacanang ordered it earlier, several lives could have been saved, including that of journalist Lourdes Simbulan, better known in the media industry as Chit Estrella, whose taxi she was riding been was rammed by a bus along Commonwealth Avenue.

 

But lives have already been sacrificed and now, P-Noy’s move is seen as a “knee-jerk” reaction to a problem that could be solved by just implementing the proper traffic rules and regulations.

 

The accident happened despite Metro Manila Development Authority’s 60-kilometer-per-hour imposed speed limit along Commonwealth Avenue , which has been dubbed “killer highway” because of many accidents that occurred there.

 

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Good news for residents of remote areas within the Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao. Soon, they will be linked globally following the launching of the P1.5 billion telecommunications project that aims to set-up some 2,000 community e-centers around the region.

 

Initiated by EA Trilink Corporation, the project is the single biggest investment registered in the history of the ARMM Board of Investments, according to Atty. Ishak Mastura, chair of ARMM BOI.

 

"This is a clear indication of confidence and a strong message that ARRM is very much open for business," Mastura said during the project launch at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City .   

 

The e-centers will serve as public facilities where people can have one-stop access to different ICT services like web resources, e-mail, and voice calls.

 

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Such access to information technology in the far-flung areas of Mindanao will provide its people with the opportunity to learn much about the benefits of ICT, enhance communication linkages and obtain wealth of information resources, among others.

 

ARMM Governor Ansaruddin Adiong has expressed confidence that with this huge investment, "the time is ripe to business in ARMM."

 

"We take pride in this project and in our continuing efforts to bring progress in the Autonomous Region," he added.

 

Meanwhile, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), which has been partnering with ARMM on a number of major peace and development initiatives has lauded the launching of the telecoms project.