Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Quezon City 2.8. NOV. 2042
Diao PY >
FIFTEENTH CONGRESS \ pape
Third Regular Session \

S17
House Bill No,__0¢ 1

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT

EXTENDING THE CORPORATE LIFE OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
RAILWAYS (P.N.R.) BY ANOTHER TWENTY FIVE (25) YEARS, AMENDING
FOR THIS PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 741, AMENDING CERTAIN
SECTIONS OF 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 OPERATION, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6366”

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Philippine National Railways, otherwise known as PNR, was
established by virtue of Republic Act No. 4156. It is a state-owned company and
an attached agency of the Department of Transportation and Communication
(DOTC). It presently operates a commuter rail service in Metro Manila and the
Bicol region through the Bicol Express (South Rail) which runs on a daily basis
between Manila and Naga City, considered the heart of Bicol.

For almost six decades, the PNR provided dependable, reliable and
reasonably affordable fare in transporting people and goods. This made the
PNR a strategic backbone and an impetus of economic activity between Metro
Manila and the Bicol region but it ceased operation in 1993 after several
calamities hit the country, more so in the Southern Luzon area. Since then, there
have been efforts in restoring it to its former glory until 2009, when partial
rehabilitation was implemented and the first train to traverse the South Rail once
again resumed operation.


But the on-going rehabilitation and modernization of PNR lines and
stations face an uphill climb since the PNR Charter is set to expire in 2013. If not
renewed and extended, PNR will cease to operate and further deprive the Bicol
region of a cheap form of transportation, the South Rail being an indispensable
ingredient in sustaining trade and industry in this part of the country.
Furthermore, it will be detrimental for the country if one major source of mass
transportation is discontinued.

In light of the reasons cited above, expeditious passage of this bill into law
is eamestly requested.

A
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO exorfluscarscn. ARROYO
Second District, Camarines Sur Second District, Pampanga


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

FIFTEENTH CONGRESS:
Third Regular Session

lee

House Bill No.

Introduced by Representatives
DIOSDADO MACAPAGAL ARROYO and GLORIA MACAPAGAL ARROYO

AN ACT

EXTENDING THE CORPORATE LIFE OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL
RAILWAYS (P.N.R.) BY ANOTHER TWENTY FIVE (25) YEARS, AMENDING
FOR THIS PURPOSE PRESIDENTIAL DECREE 741, AMENDING CERTAIN
SECTIONS OF 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 OPERATION, AS AMENDED BY REPUBLIC ACT NO. 6366”

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
Philippines in Congress assembled:

SECTION 1. Section 1 of Republic Act No. 4156, as amended by Republic
Act No. 6366, is hereby amended to read as follows:

“Sec. 1. Name, Duration and Docile. A Corporation to serve as
instrumentality of the Government of the Philippines in providing a nationwide
railroad and transportation system is hereby created to be known as the
Philippine National Railways which shall exist for a term of fifty (50) years WITH
AN EXTENSION OF ANOTHER TWENTY (25) FIVE YEARS from the date of
approval of this Act. It shall have its main office in the City of Manila, and shall
have such branches and agencies within the Philippines as may be necessary for

the proper conduct of its business. This Corporation shall be under the Office of
the President.”


SECTION 2. Separability Clause. — If any provision or Section of this Act
is held invalid or unconstitutional, the remainder of the law or the provision not
otherwise affected shall remain valid and subsisting.

SECTION 3. Repealing Clause. — Any law, presidential decree or
issuance, executive order, letter of instruction, administrative order, rule or
regulation contrary to, or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act is hereby
repealed, modified or amended accordingly

SECTION 4. Effectivity Clause. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15)
days after its publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,