Albay execs tighten watch on rail route

Albay execs tighten watch on rail route

LEGAZPI CITY—At least two local governments in Albay have directed their village officials to deploy more personnel in areas along the Philippine National Railways (PNR) tracks after three people died over the last three months when they were hit by a train plying the routes between Albay and Camarines Sur provinces.

Polangui Mayor Adrian Salceda said he issued an executive order on Friday, directing all the village officials to assign watchmen or barangay tanod to oversee residents during train operation hours.

“I also ordered the municipal disaster risk reduction and management office to coordinate with the police to conduct orientation and distribute information campaign materials to the residents near the railroads,” Salceda said in a private chat message on Sunday.

He said the residents should take the measures seriously and avoid staying along the tracks.

The PNR train passes through eight populated villages in Polangui—Agos, Matacon, Santicon, Apad, Lanigay, Sugcad, Magurang and Basud. Some of these villages are at the town center.

Mayor Carlos Irwin Baldo Jr. of Camalig town in Albay said village watchmen were also advised to monitor and clear the train tracks during the scheduled travel of the trains, especially in populated areas.

“The residents should also know the scheduled time of arrival of the PNR trains, so they are also aware since the time of its operation is regular,” Baldo said in a phone interview on Sunday.

He said the village watchmen were also deployed in railroad crossings to ensure safety of the residents, particularly in villages of Tagaytay, Cumon, Taladong and Binitayan in Camalig.

3 deaths

After being left idle for years, the Albay-Camarines Sur train tracks were rehabilitated, with train routes finally opened last year.

The route between Naga City in Camarines Sur and Ligao City in Albay began in July 2023 while the

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