PGMA announces reopening of PNR train service to Bicol before 2009 ends

MANILA, April 21 (PNA) — President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on Monday announced the re-opening of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) service in Bicol before the end of the year when she visited Naga City in Camarines Sur.

PNR general manager Manuel “Owen” Andal told President Arroyo that the repair and upgrading of train stations of the southbound train has already started since March and the rehabilitation of the railroad tracks will start next month (May).

President Arroyo stressed that the Administration is committed to modernizing the country’s infrastructure to spur the economic development in the countryside.

”By the time the Penafrancia fiesta comes next September, commuter train travel between Iriga City in Camarines Sur and Tagkawayan in Quezon will already be in place,” the President said.

PNR chief Andal added that the government-owned railway company was forced to totally stop its Manila-Bicol-Manila service for more than two years due to damages brought by super typhoons “Milenyo” and “Reming” to substantial portion of its tracks from Calamba City in Laguna up to Legaspi City in Albay.

Mrs. Arroyo who was in Naga City on Monday morning for the opening of the Private Schools Athletic Association (PRISAA) 2009 Games, recalled that when she was 11 years old she traveled to Bicol via PNR train together with her brother Buboy and mother Eva.

PGMA said she enjoyed the train ride because of 11-hours of bonding with her mother and brother through a lengthy conversations during their long ride.

She added the rehabilitation and modernization of the existing lines of the PNR is envisioned to be the key to the development of Central and Southern Luzon as it is expected to provide effective and efficient means of transportation to and from Metro Manila and the provinces in Northern and Southern Luzon.

Mrs. Arroyo expected that the rehabilitation of the Manila-Bicol railway line will benefit some 20,000 passengers daily.

Last month, Mr. Andal, said once the ongoing rehabilitation works of the rail tracks from Tagkawayan, Quezon to Guinobatan, Albay have been completed, a commuter train will start running to provide fast, convenient, and cheaper transport service to residents of the railroad towns in the provinces of Quezon, Camarines Sur and Albay.

According to the PNR chief, the total cost of the Tagkawayan-Bicol repair works would cost some P1.8 billion. Out of this amount, some P500 million had already been released to the PNR.

He also explained that the overall plan of the railway company is to resume train operations from Metro Manila to Bicol and vice-versa, before the President's term ends in 2010.

Andal led the ground breaking rites for the rehabilitation of the PNR Naga Central Station last week, which is estimated to cost P24 million.

According to Andal, some P17 million has been alloted to repair the Traversia Bridge in Guinobatan town.