MANILA, Nov 23 (PNA) — The Philippine National Railways (PNR) will turn 122-years-old on Monday (Nov 24).
As the sole operator of the most extensive intra-island railway in Luzon, PNR operates two commuter rail services in Metro Manila and the Bicol Region.
Although the Bicol service is under rehabilitation, the metro commuter line will continue to run from Tutuban station in Manila to Cabuyao, Laguna.
After rehabilitation, the Bicol service will run to Naga City in Camarines Sur province, and eventually to the southern terminal in Legazpi City in Albay.
PNR was originally called the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan which officially began operations on November 24, 1892 during the Spanish colonial period, and later became the Manila Railroad Company (MRR) during the American colonial period.
Eventually, it was renamed the Philippine National Railways on June 20, 1964 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4156. The PNR is an attached agency under the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).
Last June, President Benigno S. Aquino III signed an act allowing the PNR to run for another 50 years under Republic Act No. 10638.
The law allows the state-owned PNR to continue the operation of the mass commuter rail system in Luzon until 2064. It also mentioned that the PNR will remain under the DOTC.
So far, PNR remains the cheapest mode of transportation at 71 centavos per kilometer.
The Government is currently working to triple the PNR’s capacity in the coming years. (PNA)