SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
First Regular Session 
) 
) 
) 
SENATE 
s.No. 183l 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
Explanatory Note 
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This bill seeks for the extension of the corporate charter of the Philippine National 
Railways (PNR) whose corporate existence is due to expire on June 20, 2014. 
The government-owned Philippine National Railways (or Pambansang Daangbakal ng Pilipinas) 
is the sole operator of the intra-island railway in Luzon which operates two commuter rail services in 
Metro Manila and the Bicol Region. It officially began operations in 1892 as the Ferrocarril de Manila-
Dagupan, and later became the Manila Railroad Company during the American colonial period. It 
became the Philippine National Railways on June 20,1964 by virtue of Republic Act No. 4156 and has 
been an economical mode of transporting people, and goods for nearly 50 years.! 
The PNR expects to increase its railway revenues in 2014 due to the resumption of the Bicol 
Express operations and the intensified Metro Manila commuter service. To achieve this, the PNR 
proposes to implement the following: (a) continuation of the limited rehabilitation of the Main Line 
South; (b) intensified repair/rehabilitation of rolling stock; (c) extension of the Metro Manila Commuter 
Operation to the Greater Manila Sub-urban Services; and (d) restoration ofBicol operations. 
The Metro Naga Chamber of Commerce (MMCCI) considers the PNR to provide the impetus for 
economic activity between Metro Manila and the Bicol Region. It further emphasized that PNR is a very 
important link to the country's capital and that the discontinuation of its service is incomprehensible as it 
will deprive the people of access to the cheapest way to travel between Manila and Bicol.' 
Since transportation plays a vital role in the national effort for socio-economic development of 
our country, this bill seeks to amend the charter of the PNR to extend its corporate life for another fifty 
years to ensure that it will continue its operation and to hasten the on-going rehabilitation and 
modernization of railway lines and stations. 
It is hoped that with the approval of this measure, the PNR shall continue to work towards an 
improved, sustainable transnational railway system covering not only Luzon, but as well as Visayas and 
Mindanao; and, providing accessible means of transport to freight and passengers that is comfortable, 
secure, reliable and affordable. 
With the foregoing considered, the approval of this bill is urgen 
mjma 
1 PNR Corporate Profile. http://www.pnr.gov.ph/corporateprofile.htm (Accessed on September 14, 2013) 
'MeiroNagaCCIcallscnfurPn:rnptRerewa!ofPNRCh:n1er. http://www.philippinechamber.comlindex.php/regiona1l66-south-
luzoulI34-metro-naga-cci-calls. (Accessed on October 1,2013) 


SIXTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
) 
First Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
s.No·ill1 
Introduced by Senator Ralph G. Recto 
AN ACT 
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OCT --9 P 1 :54 
EXTENDING THE CORPORATE LIFE OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS 
FOR ANOTHER FIFTY (50) YEARS, FURTHER AMENDING FOR THIS PURPOSE 
REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4156, ENTITLED "AN ACT CREATING THE, PHILIPPINE 
NATIONAL RAILWAYS, PRESCRIBING ITS POWERS, FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES, 
AND PROVIDING FOR THE NECESSARY FUNDS FOR ITS OPERATIONS", AS 
AMENDED 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
1 
SECTION 1. Section I of Republic Act No. 4156, as amended, is further amended to 
2 
read as follows: 
3 
"Sec. I. Name, Duration and Domicile. A Corporation to serve as the 
4 
instrumentality of the Govemment of the Philippines in providing a nationwide railroad 
5 
and transportation system, is hereby created to be known as the Philippine National 
6 
Railways, which shall exist for a term of fifty (50) years WITH AN EXTENSION OF 
7 
ANOTHER FIFTY (50) YEARS from the date of approval of this Act. It shall have its 
8 
main office in the City of Manila, and shall have such branches and agencies within the 
9 
Philippines as may be necessary for the proper conduct of its business. This Corporation 
10 
shall be under the Office of the President. 
11 
"xxx." 
12 
SEC. 2. Repealing Clause. - All other laws, .presidential decrees or issuances, executive 
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orders, circulars, rules and regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions 
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of this Act are hereby repealed, modified or amended accordingly. 
15 
SEC. 3, EffectiVity Clause. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days following its 
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publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation or the Official Gazette. 
Approved,