One of the major means of transportation in the Bicol Region in the pre-Martial Law period, and even during the Marcos era, is the Philippine National Railways (PNR) Train. But its importance diminished with the advent of the bus and airline companies and the opening of new roads such as the Quirino Highway. Add to this is the inability of the PNR to compete especially considering its lack of budget for the improvement or purchase of new PNR facilities and coaches, and the battering of typhoons which destroyed a significant portion of the railways.

But thanks to the renewed drive to rehabilitate the PNR. Though still non-operational in a significant part of the region, efforts are now being done to see the train honking again.

The above photo, courtesy of Prof. Vic Nierva of Ateneo de Naga University, shows the PNR Naga City Station. Notice the station structure, the number of passengers and cargoes awaiting the trains. Decades after, in 2009, the location remained the same less of course the passengers and the cargoes. But the station structure improved a lot. We hope the trains, too, including, of course, the travel time.

• Changes in Bicol Series