Like veins carrying blood through the body, railways are meant to keep the economy alive and healthy by moving people, goods, and job opportunities across the country. Yet, decades of unfulfilled pledges in mass transportation from many politicians have become a political cliché. The vision of a modern railway network in the Philippines has been shelved once again. It was trapped between groundworks and lofty commitments, which led the rail industry to struggle to bridge the gap between vision and reality.
The first railroad in the Philippines ran through different municipalities. The construction of the railroad began in 1888, it was inaugurated on November 24, 1892, and was initially called the Ferrocarril de Manila-Dagupan. However, during the American Colonial Rule, it became known as the Manila Railroad Co. (MRR). The rail line covered 195 kilometers from Dagupan in Pangasinan to Manila. It was a milestone that once symbolized progress but now serves as an aide-memoire for many Filipinos of how far the nation’s railway ambitions have stalled.
After decades of delays, the Philippine railway system has begun to stir back to life. Three major lines—built with ballasted and plinth tracks—the light rail and metro rail now serve the Central Business District in Metro Manila and nearby provinces. Two decades of waiting since the last major construction of Light Rail Transit Line 2, equipped with a moving block signaling system, beyond these urban corridors, many new and ambitious projects are being brought to life, this includes the North-South Commuter Railway, which can cater to the three regions of the Philippines; the Metro Manila Subway, which can connect cities; and the Metro Rail Transit Line 7, which can connect the metro to nearby agricultural lands.
These routes bring a greener aspect to transportation, representing a slow but steady transformation. Elevated viaducts rise above busy, car-centric roads and new train sets arrive from overseas. Though the pace is far from what was once envisioned, each completed project segment marks a huge step forward — a tangible sign that Filipinos are slowly embracing the railway industry once again.

References:
(2018, April 23). IN THE KNOW: History of railroads in PH | Inquirer News. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/984438/in-the-know-history-of-railroads-in-ph
Bank, A. D. (2021, November 9). Philippines: Commuter corridor leads rail revival. Asian Development Bank. https://www.adb.org/news/features/philippines-commuter-corridor-leads-rail-revival