The state-run Philippine National Railways (PNR) is keen on resuming its Manila to Bicol operations in December, according to an official of the Department of Transportation.
Transportation Assistant Secretary Cesar Chavez on Saturday said the DOTr would conduct an “expedition trip” to Bicol on Nov. 18 to assess the condition of the railways.
“Dadaan ho kami diyan sa Nov. 18 para pag-aralan kung pwede na i-resume ito sa Dec. 15. ’Yung Bicol to Manila trip, that’s around 377 kilometers,” Chavez said in an interview with government-run dzRB radio.
He advised residents near the railways to clear the path of any obstruction.
“Kasi ’yung iba ginagawang laruan. ’Yung iba ay doon na nag-iinuman. ’Yung iba ay meron ng mga … may mga tent na kaming nakita,” he said.
The transportation official said the agency had a written a letter to the local government concerned and to the Philippine National Police to help them disseminate the information.
He said officials of the DOTr and mass transport advocates would be joining the expedition trip.
The train service, which ran from Tutuban in Manila to Legaspi City in Albay, stopped its operations in 2012 after one of its trains was derailed in Quezon, injuring nine passengers.