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| Photo Credits |
"This is a two part post on the mass transportation project we have in the Philippines using trains."
It has been exciting two and half years with current President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s assumption to the highest seat of the Philippine government as the 16th President of the Republic of the Philippines, succeeding former President Benigno S. Aquino III in June 30, 2016.
The Duterte
Administration's "Build, build, build" (BBB) program has been the
forefront of developing a nationwide economic revitalization and growth of our
country. This is just the continuation of some of the projects planned during
former President and now 4th District of Pampanga and House Speaker
Representative Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and also some plans or projects from the
previous administration namely former President Fidel V. Ramos (1992 – 1998),
former President and now City of Manila Mayor Joseph Ejercito-Estrada and they
say former President Ferdinand E. Marcos as early as the late 1970s during his
dictatorship.
Just to give an
overview, I have summarized some of the developments happening around our
province including those that are close proximity to Pampanga which are the
provinces of Tarlac, Zambales and Nueva Ecija in Central Luzon or Region III of
the Philippines.
Recently, there are discussion
of posts on social media about the revival of trains and using bullet trains
like the one used in Japan, China and Europe. It is a good notion to have a
plan for future with the need of mass transportation that could lessen traffic
congestion in Metro Manila and at the same time give the masses an efficient
transportation alternative complementing the operation of existing light
railways (LRT 1, LRT 2 and MRT 3), public utility buses and jeepneys and even
rapid point to point (P2P) transport buses. For those who want to experience riding
trains especially the young generations better be patient and wait. However,
for some older generation like us it gives us a nostalgia on riding these trains
again.
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| Ferrocaril de Dagupan - Manila circa 1885 |
During my younger
years, I have seen diesel engine locomotive and have rode on it as well when trains
in our area were still available in my hometown back in the 1980s. Trains do
transport cargos and people like the small boats that ply the waterways of Manila Bay or rivers like Pampanga River delta and others. In the 19th
century Europe and North America, locomotive steam engines signify progress of
one’s country as it gives pride to a country with the means of transportation, communication (mail,
telegraphs) and linking up from east to west and north to south such as an example of this the railway network of the United States of America.
Although trains are
still used in Western and progressive countries, they still complement as a
need for mass transportation for the people. On the other hand, the decline of
train services here in the Philippines have been seen over the years with neglect,
old train stations turning to dumpsite, forgotten to rot and decay after years,
with no proper government long term plan during the previous administrations to
rehabilitate it immediately. It has seen perils and dangers due to natural and
man-made calamities causing significant accident and deaths. It left a sad remark
for the lost years if this transportation was maintained or rehabilitated if it
could have had helped reduce the monstrous traffic in Metro Manila and giving
opportunities for people in the province with renewed progress and hope with
modern trains system and transport.
Did you know?
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| King Alfonso XII of Spain |
Developments during American Colonial Period up to World War II
During the American period, the Ferrocaril de Manila-Dagupan was renamed as Manila Railroad Company of New Jersey (MRR). During 1916, Manila Railroad Company suffered financial losses. Eventually, the Philippine Assembly passed Act No. 2574, authorizing the Governor-General to negotiate for the nationalization of the MRR's assets. The MRR was eventually nationalized in January 1917.
To be continued on our next article.
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