2/18/2023 0 Comments Thought train appleRecently, DOTC Secretary Emilio Abaya announced that two ambitious railway projects connecting Cagayan in the north and Bicol in the south were under study. “While PNR is set to undertake the rehabilitation of its facilities and systems in preparation for its modernization, its plan to address the nation’s transport network deficiencies may be hampered unless PNR’s corporate life is extended,” said Sarmiento. The charter expires on June 20, 2014, making the passage of the bill extremely urgent. House Bill 3395, authored by Representative Cesar Sarmiento and supported by Representative Leni Robredo and other legislators, seeks to extend PNR’s life for another 50 years to 2064. Hopefully under Dilay, the 121-year old grand old dame has a chance for a second life.Īnd this is what some of our congressmen are attempting to do. There have been several attempts to revive PNR. It will need at least P18 billion to upgrade the railway, reconstruct the bridges, and rehabilitate the Bicol Express tracks as well as the locomotive and rolling stock. The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) and PNR are looking at reviving the 422- kilometer operations from Manila to Naga City depending on the assessment of its safety by the CPCS Transcom Ltd. In Taiwan, Dilay was involved in tunnel construction for Chungho Line and underground stations for Hsintien Line in downtown Taipei and the design of its 12-km track heavy rail system. His track record includes the Light Rail Transit Systems in Denver, Colorado, the Las Vegas People Mover, Long Beach Transit, Los Angeles Light Rail Transit and Metro Rail Lines. He is a licensed civil and track work engineer both in the US and Canada with 20 years of railway experience. The state-run company has the only bonafide railway expert in the newly minted general manager, Engineer Joseph Allan Dilay. Rosa in Laguna and the Bicol commuter service that carries passengers between Naga and Sipocot.ĭespite measly budgets and nearing expiration, PNR has managed to launch several small but highly appreciated improvements such as the 120- seater premiere coach service to ease the traffic caused by the Skyway construction in Manila. Even the celebrated Bicol Express ground to a halt in 2006 due to safety concerns from damage caused by Typhoons Milenyo and Reming.Īt present, PNR operates the Metro South commuter line that runs daily from Tutuban to Sta. Neglect, incompetence and obsolescence have shrunk the historic line. In 1964, it became PNR and was given a 50-year term. It was renamed Manila Railroad Company in the American occupation. It traces its bloodline to the Ferocarril de Manila-Dagupan that was founded in 1892 during the Spanish colonial period. ![]() In its heyday, the Philippine National Railways (PNR) used to run from Baguio to Bicol. A mass rail transit is one proven stimulus for rural advancement. ![]() If only the wealth could reach every nook and cranny of the archipelago, this government would attain its goal of inclusive growth. Today, the Philippines is finally on track with impressive economic growth. ![]() Transporting thousands of commuters and products to and from their destination efficiently and economically is the sign of a robust economy.įor many decades, progress did not stop at our station. Most developed countries rely on an encompassing railway system for market connectivity. “Neither a wise man nor a brave man lies down on the tracks of history to wait for the train of the future to run over him.”įor sure Dwight David Eisenhower, America’s 34th President, was not waxing lyrical about Amtrak, which only began operations in 1971– exactly one decade after his second term.īut the metaphoric “train of the future” turned out to be a literal oracle.
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