DOTr, CHED sign deal on human resources strategies for railway sector

October 22, 2020

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) signed on Thursday a memorandum of understanding on the human resources development strategies for the Philippine railway sector.

The virtual signing ceremony was led by Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade and   CHED Chairman Prospero De Vera III.

In his message, De Vera said "the Commission lauds the initiative of Secretary Tugade in expanding the scope of PRI’s work to include research and development so that top Philippine universities can link with Japanese universities to do research that will address problems in railway development."

"The PRI was created by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte under Executive Order No. 96 to serve as a research and training center under the DOTr," he said,

"Today’s signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DOTr-PRI is crucial to undertake initiatives towards the development of human resources in the railway sector, and of course, in pursuit of the government’s commitment to the maintenance and expansion of efficient, fast, safe and dependable transportation systems which are effective instruments for national recovery and economic progress," he added.

De Vera said last February, he "met with Sec. Tugade, the representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and officials of the PRI at the Crowne Plaza, Ortigas, Pasig City to discuss how the Commission can be part of the Expanded Scope of the DOTr PRI which now includes Sustainable Railway Development, Regulatory and Management Regimes and Trusted Operator and Sound Environment."

"Based on the inter-agency discussions, CHED support will focus on developing a system of credits in order that the certification training of PRI can be converted into academic units that can be used in graduate studies and continuing professional education," he said.

"We will also review the content and outcomes contained in the PRI certificate program and imbedding these into the existing engineering curricula and/or elective subjects in order for students to learn about railway engineering while they are at the university level," De Vera said.

"Lastly, we will mobilize top engineering higher education institutions (HEIs) colleges and universities to provide experts who can act as trainers in the PRI certificate program and develop university-to-university linkages between Philippine and Japanese universities for joint research and development projects on railway development," he added.

De Vera also noted that the "the Commission looks forward to being able to harness the expertise of top HEIs, such as the University of the Philippines, Mindanao State University, Batangas State University, Mapua University, and the Technological Institute of the Philippines in the development of railway personnel capability and in research and development."

Tugade expressed hope that partnership and the MOU signed by the DOTr with Ched the country will  be known as " primary railway manpower source."

"Indeed it is crucial that we implement strict compliance with specific requirements proper education and necessary training existing and for future railway personnel as they will be running a system that will greatly contribute to the country’s economic growth aside from that they do not only manage the technical aspect of railway operation but also carry with them the responsibility of protecting the lives and limbs of people onboard," he said.

". It is my hope that the partnership initiative we strengthen today the country will soon be known as a primary railway manpower source. I am looking forward to witnessing our railway personnel step up and achieve a significant milestone in their chosen career not just for themselves but also for the benefit of the Filipino people," he added. Robina Asido/DMS