https://dotr.gov.ph/55-dotrnews/2632-in-photos-congratulations-pri-graduates.htmlToday, the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) conducted the 3rd Online Graduation for the awarding of certificates to the 76 successful trainees who completed the Refresher Training (RT) Course, and passed the Comprehensive Examination on Passenger Management, Fare and Ticketing Management, Commercial Train Driving and Railway Maintenance.
The 5-day RT Course is designed for existing operations and maintenance (O&M) personnel with more than six (6) months of working experience in various railway operators.
The course has already produced fifteen (15) batches of trainees since its commencement last October 2019, and is slated to be conducted until 2022.
During the event, on behalf of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Arthur P. Tugade, Undersecretary for Finance Garry V. De Guzman gave an keynote speech to the graduates, wherein he honored them for completing the course, and instilled into them that the learnings and skills they have acquired from the PRI, shall be put in good use, for the benefit of the country, and ultimately, the Filipino people.
"I hope that you will use what you have learned in PRI to serve the people, and to serve our country well," Usec. De Guzman stressed.
For her part, PRI Executive Director Undersecretary Anneli R. Lontoc reiterated the very essence of the certificates which were awarded to the trainees, and how these can pave way in making them more competent and highly capable in playing a major role in the country's railway sector.
"We hope that with these certificates, you were able to gain a wider perspective of the work that we all, in DOTr, need to do, in providing safe, reliable, and efficient railway transportation system. Our aspiration is that, with these certificates, you are armed to play a major role in the running of a sustainable operation and maintenance of the improved railway network of the country as enunciated by Secretary Tugade in the first online graduation ceremony," Usec. Lontoc said.
Meanwhile, top-notchers from the different batches of graduates gave their reflections on the training, as well as messages of inspiration and gratitude.
Moreover, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Expert Team Project Manager Takayuki Hagiwara, along with other members of team, also extended their felicitations to the graduates.
To close the program, DOTr Assistant Secretary for Project Implementation - Mindanao Projects Eymard D. Eje, delivered the closing remarks, wherein he underscored that the only constant in the world is 'change,' which is why, learning and studying must never stop. He also implored that mistakes should be treated as stepping stones to improve and make further progress.
"Time changes, we must cope up with these. Do not stop learning. Do not stop studying, because the things we know today, may become obsolete tomorrow. But, do not be disheartened when you commit errors—it's human nature. But make sure you learn from it. Whatever mistake you committed yesterday, make it a stepping stone today, for you to improve tomorrow...," Asec. Eje said.
The PRI, established through Executive Order No. 96, series 2019 is the country’s first-ever railway training institution. Under the administrative supervision of the DOTR, it is the primary planning, implementing, regulating, and administrative agency on human resource development in the Philippine railway sector.
Moreover, the PRI is envisioned to complement current and future railway infrastructure development under President Rodrigo Roa Duterte’s massive "Build, Build, Build" Program.
