Revival of PNR

By Gerry Garcia

The recent inauguration and opening of the P1.3 billion Dawel-Pantal-Lucao  Road as expected   did something to decongest vehicular traffic in downtown Dagupan, but only to a limited extent.

The 4-km diversion road skirting around the traffic-bound city proper has drawn mostly private motorists and a few big buses. Downtown Dagupan remains clogged with passenger jeepneys picking up and unloading passengers and deterring the flow of traffic while waiting for more fare.

One reason for this is the jeepney driver’s understandable disinclination to park at the common terminal waiting for passengers. Itseems more convenient and less costly for prospective fare to board the jeepney right in the downtown area.

Another reason for the flocking of Dagupan’s streets by passenger jeepneys coming from neighboring towns, like Calasiao, San Fabian, or even San Carlos City, is the Philippine national Railway (PNR) which has long been dormant following its mismanagement by a politics-infested government.

*****

Dagupan balikbayans, now back after years of absence, are awed by the sight of the New Dagupan City, vastly improved and bustling but its vehicular traffic remains chaotic and messy. The main reason they found was the Philippine railway train from Manila has not been servicing the north route for several years, which explains shy passenger buses and jeepneys from Bayambang, this province and adjoining towns kept flocking to the city to confuse its already congested traffic.

Which reminds us of what some six years ago, the then Speaker Joe de V proposed to PGMA the rehabilitation and installation of railway systems radiating out of  Manila to north which led him  to negotiate  with the Japanese for the provision of rail coaches and funding.

Now that JDV is no longer the Speaker, the question is left hanging. When will the north railway be rehabilitated?

(Readers may reach columnist at sundaypunch2@yahoo.com. For past columns, click http://sundaypunch.prepys.com/archives/category/opinion/here-and-there/  For reactions to this column, click “Send MESSAGES, OPINIONS, COMMENTS” on default page.)

Share your Comments or Reactions

comments

Powered by Facebook Comments