The nation’s railways sector caps another milestone as the Philippine Railways Institute (PRI) celebrates its first founding anniversary with the theme, ‘PRI@1: On Track to Service Excellence’, on Monday.

PRI is the country’s first Rail Transportation Research and Training Center under the Department of Transportation (DOTr).

Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade leads the opening ceremony of the PRI’s weeklong celebration.

Joining him in the program are Economic Minister Masahiro Nakata of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Chief Representative to the Philippines Eigo Azukizawa.

First Secretary Sadaharu Hori of the Embassy of Japan in the Philippines also participates in the anniversary celebration.

The event highlights the ceremonial virtual signing of the amended Record of Discussion for the JICA Technical Assistance Project to Establish the PRI.

The celebration also coincides with the opening of the Web Refresher Training Course (Batch 18).

Other officials who are in attendance include Transport Undersecretary for Railways Timothy John Batan, Transport Undersecretary and PRI Officer-in-Charge (OIC) Anneli Lontoc, and PRI Technical Assistance Project Manager Takayuki Hagiwara. DMS