PNR GM: I’ll resign if train services don’t improve

Katerina Francisco

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PNR GM: I’ll resign if train services don’t improve
PNR general manager Joseph Allan Dilay promises better service and facilities to commuters, as officials seek a P10- to P15-minimum fare hike

MANILA, Philippines – The general manager of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) put his job on the line after promising to improve the facilities and operations of the state-run train line within the year.

Kapag walang nagbago within one year sa PNR, I’ll resign. Wala akong mukhang ipapakita sa inyo (If nothing changes at the PNR within one year, I’ll resign. I will have lost face with the public),” PNR general manager Joseph Allan Dilay said. 

He made the promise on Thursday, February 26, during the public consultation on the PNR’s proposed fare hike. Some 30 commuters were present to discuss their riding experience with PNR officials and air their concerns about the rate increase.

During the consultation, officials appealed to commuters to understand why the PNR management needed to push through with the rate increase.

Dilay said the train line is struggling to survive, and would need the estimated P116 million in additional revenue to cover the cash deficit in its operational expenses.

In 2014, PNR collected an average fare of P12.72 per passenger and subsidized P14.97 per passenger. This means the train line spent P683 million for operating expenses to service its 24.6 million passengers last year.

The PNR is now seeking a P10 to P15 minimum fare hike. A trip from Tutuban in Manila to Calamba, Laguna – a 56-kilometer journey – will cost P60 instead of the present rate of P45.

This translates to a per-kilometer rate of P1.07, up from the current P0.71 per kilometer rate, or an increase of P0.36 per kilometer.

Asked by some commuters about the P2.3-billion budget granted by the national government to the PNR, Dilay explained that the amount is allocated solely for the rehabilitation and repair of rail tracks and stations.

The train line’s operational expenses are not subsidized by government, Dilay added, which is why the PNR needs the fare hike revenues to cover the deficit.

Ask Congress, not commuters

Some commuters, however, were not satisfied with Dilay’s explanation.

Arnold Arriola, who attended the public consultation, asked why the PNR did not receive a budget from the national government to also cover its operating expenses.

He urged PNR officials to ask for more funding from Congress, instead of passing the burden to commuters. (READ: Mind the other train: Bigger funding for PNR proposed)

Sa halip na humingi ng fare increase mula sa mga pasahero, i-justify ninyo ang kahalagahan ng PNR. Mag-demand tayo ng additional budget sa Congress” (Instead of charging passengers higher fares, justify the PNR’s importance before Congress and demand additional budget from them),” he said. 

Of the P2.3 billion budget for the PNR’s rehabilitation projects, P546 million came from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and P1.750 billion from the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC).

Asked by one commuter if the PNR asked for more than its current budget, Dilay replied: “Yes, of course. And not just more. Seven times [our current budget].”

Several times during the public consultation, PNR officials said the P2.3-billion budget was unprecedented, and that the train line had not been given such an amount before because the PNR was not a priority for the national government.

Dilay justified the rate hike proposal by saying it was a chicken-or-egg scenario: it would be difficult to expect better services without the funding needed to fix the systems.

Ang 36 cents [na dagdag pasahe], parang abuloy na lang ng pasahero iyon,”  (The 36-cent fare increase is just like a donation from passengers),” he said.

He added that the PNR has barely survived during the 20 years spent without raising fares. 

Nakaka-survive, pero sagad na kami. Hindi na kami makakahinga kung hindi ma-increase-an nang kaunti. Ang hinihingi lang namin pantawid lang (We survived, but we have reached our limit. We won’t last without even an incremental increase. We’re only asking for something to help us get by).” – Rappler.com

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