Duterte creates Philippine Railways Institute

President Rodrigo Duterte has created a research and training center for the development of human resources in the railway sector.

Duterte established the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) under the Department of Transportation (DOTr), according to Executive Order 96 that was signed by the President on November 21.

“[T]here is an urgent need to develop the human resource capacities of railways personnel to ensure their availability and competence, and guarantee their compliance with generally accepted standards of practice, as well as the rules and regulations pertaining to the safety, operation and maintenance of railways,” the EO stated.

The PRI is mandated to formulate and recommend guidelines regarding human resources development in the railway sector, including the promotion of safety in train operations and prescribe rules and regulations for the issuance of certificates attesting to the competence of railways personnel, including train drivers.

The training center is also tasked to assist in the enforcement of laws, rules and regulations in the field of human resources development for the railways sector as well as determine and collect reasonable fees, dues or assessments relative to certificates and accreditations.

The PRI will be headed by an executive director who will be appointed by the President.

The institute will have divisions on training, certification and accreditation, and research and development.

According to the EO, the initial budget of the PRI will be sourced from the available funds of the DOTr.

Appropriations for the succeeding years will be incorporated in the annual budget proposal of the department. —NB, GMA News