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by Benise Balaoing, ABS-CBNnews.com
The spokesperson of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) said missing rail parts may have been the reason why one of its trains was derailed yesterday.Around 50 passengers sustained minor injuries after a train got derailed between the EDSA and Nichols stations of the PNR on Wednesday.
Speaking to Punto por Punto host Anthony Taberna on ABS-CBN’s “Umagang Kay Ganda,” PNR spokesman Paul de Quiros said, “Based doon sa mga initial findings ng mga engineers namin tapos ‘yong mga nag-inspection doon, merong nakitang may mga missing angle bars, ‘yon ‘yong mga nagsusuporta sa mga rail joints, tapos may mga missing rail clips din.”
De Quiros said the missing rail parts were probably pilfered, and that they plan to conduct more inspections of their trains and railways from now on.
He said security measures to prevent pilfering have been in place even before the accident.
He said they have men assigned to check the tracks, and that their drivers and conductors look into the condition of the tracks as well.
De Quiros said those who were injured and whose property was damaged because of the accident may go to their office to seek financial aid.
Asked if they have insurance, however, De Quiros said, “Hindi siya insured eh.”
National Center for Commuter Safety and Protection President Elvira Medina said she also doesn’t know of the PNR having insurance coverage.
“Noong 2005 nang magsimula ang aming organization, kami po ‘yong nagmungkahi na lagyan ng insurance ang mga tren. Kaya po nalagyan ng insurance ng GSIS (Government Service Insurance System) yung MRT (Metro Rail Transit) at LRT (Light Rail Transit). Hindi ko po alam kung bakit hindi sinama ang PNR,” Medina said.
She also added that the PNR needs more attention, noting how even the LRT and MRT have made improvements—albeit bit by bit.
“Nakuhanan ko po ng litrato ‘yong bunton-bunton , pila-pila na commuters natin na talaga naming nahirapan. Pero nakita din ko po, dahil lagi din po akong sumasakay, may mga improvements na po iyon,” she said of the LRT and MRT.
Medina likewise reiterated their group’s call for the enactment of a law that would create a national railway development authority.
She noted that railways may not be placed under the regulation of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board or Land Transportation Office.
“Meron na pong specification sa international transport fora na ang tinatwag na land ay ‘yon lang rubber-based surface,” she explained.
This article has been re-published with permission from ABS-CBNnews.com.
Photo: Zhander Cayabyab, dzMM (Twitter)
