PNR chairman eyes education, financial literacy

Philippine National Railway chairman Michael Ted Macapagal is eyeing a far more different development program for the government-owned railway company beyond building a national railway infrastructure and system.

In a briefing for members and guest of the Monday Circle at the Westin Manila in Ortigas last Monday, the PNR chairman went beyond outlining the PNR and the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr)’s infrastructure development program which includes the rehabilitation of the Quezon and Bicol province railway line and the ongoing work toward the completion of the North-South Commuter Railway project, with the north section seen partially completed before the end of President Marcos’ term.

As previously explained by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista to the Monday Circle, work on the NSCR continues to be delayed by right of way problems

The NSCR project, financing for which comes from the Japan International Cooperation Agency in the amount of P878 billion, and the Asian Development Bank which is providing between 30 and 40 percent of the additional funding, is envisioned to connect Clark to Manila, which would provide vital connectivity for the Clark International Airport, and would extend all the way to Calamba City in Laguna, helping decongest road traffic and opening up economic opportunities for regions outside Metro Manila.

The DOTr and PNR, Macapagal said, also continues to expand and build new lines for the Light Railway Transit and the Metro Rail Transit. It is also doing feasibility studies for the Mindanao railway, the Samar-Leyte railway, and the Subic-Clark-Manila-Batangas railway corridor.

Beyond the vital railway infrastructure development, however, Macapagal (who actually has a business background and experience) is eyeing an educational and training component through the Philippine Railway Institute (PRI) to teach and train people with the necessary skills to compete in the global economy.

The PRI, he revealed, is already working closely with the private sector to align its curriculum with industry needs. Additionally, the PRI has also acquired modern technology to train Filipino railway engineers and technical programs have been expanded to provide graduates with the practical skills demanded by the job market.

To foster entrepreneurship, Macapagal suggests that government creates an ecosystem that will support startups and small and medium-size enterprises (SMEs).

However, he said, this should include providing access to financing, mentorship, and market opportunities that agencies like the Department of Trade and Industry and the Small Business Corporation can form a partnership with the DOTr and the PNR.

Lastly, Macapagal stressed the need to help educate and develop financial literacy, pointing out that “it remains a significant challenge in the country. A large segment of our population lacks the essential knowledge and skills to make informed financial decisions. This lack of understanding can lead to poverty, debt, and economic instability. It is a vicious cycle that perpetuates inequality and hinders our nation’s development.”

He is proposing a multi-faceted approach that would involve both the government and the private sector, with the government providing a supportive policy environment and accessible financial education.

The private sector, for its part, such as financial institutions should educate their customers about various financial products and services, and make use of technology to enhance financial education, the PNR chairman said.

PNR stations, Macapagal said, are designed to be made the center of trade once the government’s modern railway system is completed, similar to how railway systems in Japan, Singapore, China, Hong kong, Europe and other countries were designed.

Aside from being the PNR chairman, Macapagal is also a member of the board of directors of the Philippine National Oil Company. He was a former director of the Clark Board and Gulf Oil Philippines. Prior to joining the government, he was a corporate executive based in San Francisco,California.

“Super Mike,” as he is fondly known in his hometown, hails from Olongapo city. He is the founder and president of Supergapo, a consumer advocacy group that provided help and assistance to residents of the city and neighboring provinces during the height of the COVID pandemic.

He studied B.A. in History at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon city and is a member of the Upsilon Sigma Phi fraternity. He also studied Human Resource Management at the U.C. Berkeley.

Macapagal has conducted lectures on the topic of title insurance and escrow procedure in several community colleges in and around the San Franciso Bay Area. Although he lived in California, he never obtained US citizenship. From 2016 to 2021, he served as president of PDP LABAN in Olongapo city. In 2022, he joined LAKAS-CMD as its local chairman.

He is a founding board member of the Filipino American Real Estate Professional Association. He served as a director of the board of the Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of San Francisco and San Mateo counties. He used to be a member of the American Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, the Subic Bay Freeport Chamber of Commerce, and Kiwanis International.

He is the son of the late Olongapo City mayor Teddy Macapagal and is related to former president, now Pampanga Congresswoman Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo.

Not a pasaway

Before ending his briefing, the PNR chairman had a special request to once again clear his name regarding an impostor who had used Macapagal’s calling card when the impostor was apprehended for using the EDSA bus lane in May this year.

Macapagal points out that based on CCTV footage of the vehicle, the vehicle did not belong to the PNR or to Macapagal personally, The impostor, however, presented a calling card of Macapagal causing the mistaken identity.

The PNR chairman has no idea how the impostor got his calling card.