News in Pictures: March 31, 2024
TILL THE NEXT STATION IN PR’S JOURNEY
Train operators (left) pose for a souvenir shot at the Tutuban Station of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) on March 27, as commuters (above) wait inside MCS 2038, the last train ride at 8:36 p.m. that Wednesday. The PNR was closed on March 28 to give way to the North-South Commuter Railway project which is expected to be completed by 2029.
LAST TRIP; SEE YOU IN 2028 A Philippine National Railways (PNR) train crosses España Boulevard in Manila, while two operators wave from a coach window on Wednesday. After these trips on March 26, the PNR will be suspending operations for five years to make way for construction of another line: the North-South Commuter Railway Project. The closure is expected to affect around 30,000 commuters. The Department of Transportation has offered them buses as alternative rides. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
The government, meanwhile, will deploy buses along the train route to bring commuters who have been relying on the PNR, although advocacy groups have expressed doubt that this will help ease public transportation along that route.
Founded in 1892, the country’s oldest railway company has undergone various changes with its trains, from their first-class service during the colonial era until the 1970s to their decrepit state in the succeeding decades. There were attempts to revive PNR’s old glory in the early 2000s. The train system’s upcoming rehabilitation could be the next promising chapter in its history. —PHOTOS BY GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
PROPER DRIVER’S LICENSE
Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista and Francis Ray Almora, director of the Law Enforcement Service of the Land Transportation Office (LTO), inspect machines printing car plates and drivers’ licenses at the agency’s headquarters in Quezon City on March 25.
Around 1 million plastic cards were delivered to the LTO that day after the Court of Appeals had lifted an injunction by a Quezon City court that a losing bidder in the plastic-card contract sought last year. While the injunction was in effect, the LTO had to issue licenses on paper.
SECURITY CHECK NEEDED Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, who inspected the plastic cards delivered to the Land Transportation Office on Wednesday, said these would first be examined by the Department of Science and Technology to determine if these comply with specifications, particularly security features. —NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
Starting April, motorists seeking to renew their licenses will be issued that document in a plastic card, the agency said. -NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
UNITED STAND ON CHINA
President Marcos meets with a US congressional delegation (Codel) on March 26. The Codel-consisting of New York Rep. Adriano Espaillat and Senators Michael Farrand Bennet, Mark Edward Kelly, Cynthia Marie Lummis, Roger Wayne Marshall, Cynthia Jeanne Shaheen and Kirsten Elizabeth Gillibrand, the head of that group-were accompanied by Ambassador to the Philippines MaryKay Carlson and other US Embassy officials.
They discussed with Mr. Marcos the most recent water cannon attack by China at Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal on March 23. Gillibrand later issued a statement noting “China’s aggression with regard to many issues around the Philippines.” South Korea and India also expressed concern about the incident.
Also on Tuesday, Armed Forces of the Philippines chief Gen. Romeo Brawner Jr. visited troops of the Western Command in Puerto Princesa City, Pala-wan, and conferred medals on three members of the Philippine Navy who were injured in the attack at Ayungin. —PHOTOS BY MARIANNE BERMUDEZ AND AFP PUBLIC AFFAIRS OFFICE
