DOTr, JICA sign agreement on Philippine Railway Institute
The railway institute will train all staff on the nation's railways. DoTr photo
MANILA, Philippines — Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade, the Japan International Cooperation Agency, and engineering universities on Thursday signed the memorandum of understanding between the Department of Transportation and the Japanese government for the establishment of the Philippine Railway Institute.
According to the DOTr, the Philippine Railway Institute is the transport agency's acknowledgement that it is not enough to just build railways in the next five years.
"It is equally important to ensure that we operate and maintain them efficiently, reliably, and on a par with international best practices," the DOTr said.
DOTr Undersecretary Timothy John Batan said the PRI has two phases: As a learning institution and as a certification body.
As a training institution and licensing body, PRI will set the standards for staff on the train systems in the country. Batan said this is meant to ensure that all train drivers, maintenance staff and ticket-sellers "have the qualifications and service-oriented mindset that our people are entitled to expect from a fully-functioning railways system."
The engineering universities are included in the signing of the MOU since the DOTr wants engineering students to be involved in building the first subway system in the country.
The 25-kilometer subway, also funded by JICA, is slated to be completed by 2025. The subway will connect 13 stations from Mindanao Avenue in Quezon City through FTI in Taguig City and end at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport in Parañaque City. — Rosette Adel
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