Metro Manila (CNN Philippines) — Safety issues prompted transportation officials on Tuesday to postpone the resumption of train services from Manila to Naga City to the first quarter of 2017.
After an 18-hour railway inspection on November 18, officials felt that certain portions of the 300-kilometer railway were unsafe.
“We are already convinced that it is not safe, it is not sustainable and reliable if we start resuming the operation of PNR in December,” Transportation Undersecretary for Rails Cesar Chavez told CNN.
In early November, transportation officials said they hoped to resume the Manila-Naga train operation by December to help ease commuter woes and lessen traffic congestion during the holiday season.
However, the rehabilitation of damaged Ragay bridge in Camarines Sur will take another month to finish, Chavez said.
There are also more than 20,000 informal settlers living along the rail tracks who need to be relocated, he added.
The PNR services to Naga City resumed in 2012, but ceased operation after a year because of numerous track failures.
Rebirth of Philippine railways
The PNR was given a much needed shot in the arm when, on November 14, the National Economic and Development Authority approved the ₱250-billion worth budget for the North-South Railway Project.
Phase One involves the rehabilitation of the commuter rails from Tutuban, Manila to Calamba, Laguna, Chavez said.
Phase Two involves the long-haul railway route from Manila to Legazpi City in Albay, though funding will be determined based on a feasibility study, he said.
PNR Officer-in-Charge Joseline Geronimo relayed her excitement over the rehab projects.
Geronimo said, the much-needed upgrade of train infrastructure will elevate the quality of their service.
The initial version of the North-South Railway Project was approved by former President Noynoy Aquino in 2015. Geronimo appreciated that the new administration under President Rodrigo Duterte pursued this.
“Kumbaga, may continuity,” she said.
