CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- The Department of Transportation (DOTr) and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) signed on Monday, October 3, the Records of Discussion for the extension of the Philippine Railways Institute Technical Assistance (PRI-TA) Project that is expected to raise the level of the country’s railway operations to global standards.

“The contract we earlier signed to extend the technical assistance Japan is providing to our Philippine Railways Institute will ensure the level of technical expertise of our railway operators will be raised to global standards,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said during the ceremonial signing of the PRI-TA on Monday.

Part of JICA’s technical assistance will be for the development of various policies, laws and regulations, provision of curriculum and trainings by Japanese railway expert to the PRI, and the conduct of survey for research and development (R&D) for human resource development.

Bautista approved JICA’s initiatives in supporting the PRI, pointing out that the Government of Japan’s assistance to the institute will continue the effective transfer of technical expertise to best operate the country’s railway system.

“If we are to succeed at completing these big-ticket projects, especially our rail systems, we need the support of our Japanese experts to ensure our train systems are operated by the best qualified and highly trained Filipino professionals,” Bautista said.

JICA Philippine Office Chief Representative Sakamoto Takema underscored the importance of the meeting of technical experts in a reliable railway system in the Philippines.

“There is no doubt that the participation of reliable operators is very critical for the safe, reliable, and sustainable operation and maintenance of railways,” Takema said.

The first batch of 19 PRI instructors is now in Tokyo, Japan to train on capacity development on operations and maintenance practice and training. (DOTr/PIA-NCR)