Try GOLD - Free
PNR: On track for progress and development
The Philippine Star
|January 31, 2024
Progressive countries around the world, whether in Europe or Asia (just look at Japan, China, and Singapore, to name a few), know this for a fact: urban and economic development can be made faster, more extensive, less costly, and more efficient if a country has an extensive train system.
The urban planning trend that gained traction in the 1990s, called "Transit Oriented Design", was based on the truism that the best way to establish and expand cities is to do so along a modern railways system.
An extensive, expansive railways system solves many problems that Filipinos face today including traffic, pollution, and stress-related health problems.
It's a funny situation when you look at it: manufacturers are now selling more cars faster than the government can put out roads where the newly purchased cars can run on. And no matter how fancy or expensive your luxury car is, it's as useless as a budget, second-hand vehicle when you are stuck on EDSA for four hours.
All this traffic creates pollution and stress. it's no joke being late for work and getting wages docked; neither is getting home late at night, with little to no downtime left for yourself and with your loved ones. All this leads to physical and mental health problems.
In short, this country needs more trains and more train routes.
CULTURAL HERITAGE IN A RAILWAY SYSTEM
When we look back on our history, The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is more than just a train transport service: it's a valuable and meaningful part of Filipino history, heritage, culture, and identity. As such, it is a point of pride for the Philippines.
This story is from the January 31, 2024 edition of The Philippine Star.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM The Philippine Star
The Philippine Star
Ex-DPWH secretary Bonoan back in Phl
After more than two months in the United States, former Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) secretary Manuel Bonoan returned to the country yesterday.
1 mins
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
DPWH urged: Scrap allocables, adopt bottom-up budgeting
The Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) should scrap the corruption-prone “allocable” system and adopt the bottom-up budgeting framework to better allocate infra-structure funding to all the regions and congressional districts, an anti-crime and corruption group said yesterday.
1 min
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
Single contract eyed for LRT-1, MRT-3
The country's busiest railways — Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3) and Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) - could end up being managed by a single group eyeing to operate train services jointly to make them profitable assets.
2 mins
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
Gov't resets debt narrative using IMF-aligned standard
The Marcos administration is reframing how it presents the country's debt position by shifting to an International Monetary Fund (IMF)-aligned standard, a move the Department of Finance said would give a clearer and more credible picture of the Philippines' fiscal health.
1 mins
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
'Withheld tobacco tax shares cripple Luzon agri'
Billions of pesos in tobacco tax shares from 2023 to 2025 remain unreleased - a broken promise that cuts deep in the Ilocos region.
1 mins
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
PSA fetes Fajardo, Bagunas, Belen
The most dominant figure in local basketball today joins the current two biggest stars of Philippine volleyball in being honored with special awards in the San Miguel Corp. Philippine Sportswriters Association (SMC-PSA) Awards Night on Feb. 16 at the Diamond Hotel Manila.
1 mins
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
Yanson Group units re-elect leaders to boost Mindanao transport links
The Yanson Group of Bus Companies reaffirmed its commitment to regional economic development as two of its major Mindanao-based subsidiaries held annual stockholders’ meetings in January 17 and 18, 2026.
1 min
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
Common sense diplomacy with China
Finally! Someone in government has put on the thinking cap and pushed for a practical solution that will surely be beneficial for the Philippines and could be the beginning of better relations with China.
3 mins
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
BBM vows aviation upgrade as PAL unveils longest aircraft
Citing the importance of keeping pace with a rapidly evolving aviation industry, President Marcos on Saturday led the launching of Philippine Airlines (PAL)'s new Airbus A350-1000, one of the most modern widebody aircraft designed for long-haul travel.
2 mins
January 19, 2026
The Philippine Star
Made in the Philippines
The big difference between the Philippines and the Asian nations (South Korea, Thailand, Vietnam) that have overtaken our economy over the last 40 years is having a robust manufacturing sector.
4 mins
January 19, 2026
Translate
Change font size
