RIHS Photos for the Explainer

I have mentioned some interesting facts about Philippine Railways during the show of Manolo Quezon. This was based on the MR 350 collection of the US Archives. Below are some of the pictures I prepared but were not shown because of lack of time:



The Antipolo Station picture above was taken on May 1, 1910. This is a rare photo of the Antipolo station with people waiting for the train carrying the May 1 pilgrims.



The Manila Belt Line Bayanihan Photo. MRR Megamovers Circa 1908. A rare photo of a house being moved using the newly built rails of the Manila Belt Line near Paco Station.



One hundred years ago, the Manila Railroad Company completed the Pandacan Swing Bridge. The MRR trains finally crossed Pasig river in 1908.



William Howard Taft visited the Philippines a year before he became president of the United States. He inspected the MRR line to Baguio. The above picture was taken in Baguio showing Secretary of War William Howard Taft together with Governor General Cameron Forbes. The automobile in the picture was one of two Stanley Steam Automobile exported to the Philippines.



Only in the Philippines courtesy of the American railroad engineers, MRR tracks on top of Bued River. Rush! Willian Howard Taft wants to visit Baguio!



The first attempt to build a railroad to Baguio was the line from San Fabian to Camp 1. From Camp 1 the plan was to build a line to Baguio using Kennon road. A year after the line to Camp 1 was built, the mighty Bued river washed out an entire segment of the line.

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 111

MALACAÑANG

Manila

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE PHILIPPINES

ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 111

AUTHORIZING THE VICE PRESIDENT, CONCURRENTLY CHAIRMAN OF THE HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT COORDINATING COUNCIL, TO PERFORM ALL POWERS AND FUNCTIONS NECESSARY TO IMPLEMENT THE RESETTLEMENT AND RELOCATION PROGRAMS TO CLEAR THE RAIL RIGHTS-OF-WAY OF THE PHILIPPINE NATIONAL RAILWAYS LINES

WHEREAS, the rehabilitation and development of the PNR Lines are priority projects of the National Government envisioned to catalyze economic activity and enhance the mass transportation system in Metro Manila, including Northern and Southern Luzon;

WHEREAS, portions of the project sites and the necessary rights-of-way (ROW) for the rail system are currently occupied by informal settler families numbering to approximately 80,000 households;

WHEREAS, the implementation of priority rail projects cannot proceed in a significant way unless the ROW are cleared of informal settlers;

WHEREAS, there is a need to effectively and carefully manage, direct, coordinate, and monitor all efforts by the national and local governments to ensure the timely, peaceful and orderly relocation and resettlement of the families to be affected by the rail development projects; and

WHEREAS, the Housing and Urban Development Coordinating Council (HUDCC) is mandated by law to coordinate and monitor the activities of all government housing agencies to ensure the accomplishment of the goals of the National Shelter Program.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO, President of the Philippines, by virtue of the powers vested in me by law, do here order:

SECTION 1. Lead Agency for the Implementation of the PNR Rail Systems Resettlement and Relocation Programs. The NHA shall serve as the lead agency in the implementation of Rail-Related Resettlement and Relocation Programs. It shall principally carry out, coordinate and monitor all government projects and activities necessary to ensure the timely, peaceful and orderly relocation and resettlement of the families to be affected by the development of the PNR Rail System.

SEC 2. Role of the Vice President and HUDCC Chairman. The Vice President of the Philippines and HUDCC Chairman is hereby authorized to direct manage and coordinate all activities, mobilize available government resources, and call on the assistance of all government agencies concerned for the implementation of the Rail Related and Relocation Programs in Accordance with applicable laws.

SEC 3. Cooperation and Support of Government Agencies. All departments, bureaus, offices and other government agencies and instrumentalities, including government owned and/or controlled corporations are hereby directed to extend full cooperation, support and assistance to the HUDCC and the Office of the Vice President regarding all matters and requests specifically related to and covered by this Order.

All concerned government agencies, particularly the Department of Budget and Management, shall, as their respective budgets may allow, give priority and immediate attention to the funding requirements necessary to perform all tasks and functions under the Approved Program and Activities.

SEC 4. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Order is declared invalid, other provisions not affected thereby shall remain effective.

SEC 5. Repealing Clause. All orders, issuances or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with this Administrative Order, are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.

DONE, in the City of Manila, this 8th day of November, in the year of Our Lord, Two Thousand and Four.

(Sgd.) GLORIA MACAPAGAL-ARROYO

By the President:

(Sgd.) EDUARDO R. ERMITA
Executive Secretary