With the ongoing railway developments in the country, such as the MRT-7 and North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR), the Department of Transportation is ensuring proper training for railway personnel. Through the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) training center, employees from various rail systems are equipped with the knowledge and skills necessary for safe operations.
Since 2019, the PRI has trained nearly 5,000 personnel from the LRT-1, LRT-2, MRT-3, MRT-7, and PNR. According to training division head Israel Radiaganding, the various railway projects need roughly 15,000 to 20,000 personnel, adding that PRI trainees not currently part of any railway system are guaranteed to find work in the sector.
DOTr undersecretary and acting PRI executive director Anneli Lontoc said that before the PRI, each railway operator conducted its own training programs, which varied from one operator to another. “Wala noon na sinusunod na guidelines. Palagi tayong umaasa sa mga dayuhang eksperto sa pagsasanay upang matugunan ang pangangailangan sa kaligtasan, operasyon, at maintenance ng mga riles. Naitatag ang PRI upang i-address yung kakulangan na yun ng ating mga manggagawa sa riles.”
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To aid in the program, the PRI’s modern facilities in Valenzuela have full-size and desk-size train simulators, mock-up station concourses and platforms, mock-up bridges and tunnels, signaling dioramas, and rolling stock equipment. The training covers railway safety, tracks, buildings, stations, power supply, signaling, rolling stock, passenger management, ticketing systems, and train driving.
LRT-2 train driver Mark Angelo Bagasbas says the free training he received has helped him build a strong foundation in the industry; he has completed various programs, including Commercial Train Driving, signaling, and rolling stock training.
With the MRT-7 and NSCR scheduled for partial operations in 2027, there are employment opportunities for those willing to undergo the proper training. If you want to know more about the programs under PRI, you can visit its official Facebook page here.
