“The PNR played an important role that shaped our nation to what it is today. ” 

Junio Norberto M. Ragragio
Vice-Chairman

PNR 19TH. CENTURY HIGHLIGHTS

• June 25, 1875 - King  ALFONSO XII of Spain promulgates the Royal Decree directing the Office of the Inspector of Public Works of the Philippines to submit a general plan of railroad in Luzon

• February 5, 1876 - Don Eduardo Lopez Navarro of Public Works submits his MemoriaSobre el Plan General de Ferro-Carilles en Isla de Luzon, a very comprehensive and detailed study of railroad exploitation

• November 1, 1883 – the study of the first railroad project between Manila and Dagupandone by Antonio delaCamara isappoved

• January 1, 1887 – Royal Decree grants Mr. Edmund Syker the concession to the original plan as approved

• July 8, 1887 – the concession is transferred to Don Carlos E. Bertodano representing the Manila Railroad Company (MRRCo)

• July 31, 1887 – construction of the Manila-Dagupan railroad is started

• March 24, 1891 – the first section of the railroad from Manila to Bagbag (about 45 kms) is completed and put to commercial operations

• November 24, 1892 – the entire line from Manila to Dagupan, with a total length of 195.4 kms, is completed and put into commercial operations

• November 1896 – the Philippine revolution against the Spanish Government breaks out, interrupting railroad traffic at various points

• August 13, 1898 – the railway operations is resumed only to be interrupted again one year after when the Philippine-American War breaks out