If a Senate measure becomes law, the Philippine National Railways will continue to operate for another 50 years once its corporate life ends on June 19 under Republic Act 4156. Last week 22 senators voted to extend the life of the PNR by another 50 years.
Whether the extension will lead to an improvement in railway services remains to be seen. During the Spanish colonial period, a railway system ran from Central Luzon all the way to Bicol, but the service ended several decades ago. That railway system, once 1,140 kilometers long, has dwindled to 43 kilometers: a commuter line from the main PNR Tutuban station in Divisoria, Manila to Sta. Rosa, Laguna.
Policymakers understand that a railway service, if used for transporting cargo, can ease congestion in Manila’s port and ease the horrid traffic jams around the container terminal. Climate change advocates see trains as environment-friendly alternatives to cars.
An efficient railway service can also encourage more people to leave their cars at home and commute, easing traffic and minimizing pollution. The crowds at the Light Railway and Metro Railway systems show the popularity of this efficient and affordable mode of transportation. Like the regular train service, however, the LRT and MRT badly need expansion and upgrading.
An attempt to build a new railway across Luzon, however, became bogged down in a corruption scandal, with the interconnecting section finished but no North or South Rail to connect.
Other countries have invested heavily in modern railways, which are used for transporting cargo, for commuter service within crowded urban centers, and to connect airports to cities. Some countries are competing to have the fastest trains. Filipinos will be happy to just have a decent train service going. The extension of the life of the PNR should be complemented by a serious effort to launch a modern railway system.