My mom, sister and I visited at the Trinity Memorial Chapel in Sucat, Paranaque the other night, where Archie Arboleda’s body is laid for family and friends to pay respects and bring comfort to his grieving wife, son, Parents, siblings and relatives. We know them to be diligent Christians serving the Lord, my parents have known them for many years.

Sis. Nimfa (Archie’s mom) shared how painful it is to have a child die ahead of a parent, and still can’t believe Archie is gone while she carries her 4 month old grandchild by Archie’s younger brother. Archie’s wife is being comforted by family and friends too while Liam, their 6 years old son walks around, maybe thinking his father is only sleeping.

Bro. Cris shared some premonitions, and said some of Archie’s officemates came early after the accident and told him that Archie shaked hands with a lot of officemates before leaving that morning of his fatal death, even those from other floors who are not really very close to him. Tita Nimfa also told us about how sweet their son has been and been very responsible.

Professionals with a Christian counseling degree can be so helpful to those who are grieving.

They still don’t have a copy of the police report of what really transpired based on the investigation, but to their knowledge, there was no safety rail down as a communication device that will make a person nearing the tracks slow down driving on approach and stop whenever a train is about to come.

I searched of other PNR incidences and watched this interview of a PNR representative about a different accident involving a bus (who they say is the one at fault), as I watch it, I can’t stop myself from noticing how they respond…

Granting that most of accidents are due to Driver Error, does that mean, that PNR has no responsibility when accidents happen such as the one involving Archie? If it’s true that there was no safety rail, is PNR spared from any liability?

I looked the law up and this is what I found, “Philippine National Railway Act of 2010.”

Republic of the Philippines
House of Representatives
Fifteenth Congress
First Regular Session
Introduced by Honorable Juan Edgardo “Sonny” M. Angara
Article XVI – Safety and Security
An Act Institutionalizing a National Railway System in the Philippines
and for other purposes…
Philippine National Railway Act of 2010.

Based on the video, the bus driver still went ahead with the warning of the flag man. Is a flag man enough to provide a safety signal? How about Flag man error (if deemed ineffective), not just driver error? being a reason why
drivers continue to cross the rail…

Still on the video above, the PNR person said “With or without yung senyales na may darating na tren, kung nakita na natin na pula yung sa kabilang side, hindi ka na tumawid o pumatong pa duon sa riles. ”
(“With or without the sign, that there is an upcoming train, if one can see a red light on the other side, you should no longer cross or go over the rail.”)

“With or without sign“??….are you kidding me?
What kind of an answer is that coming from PNR!!!

I don’t know when was the last time PNR executives read the law.

The reporter further said, na” responsibilidad din naman daw ng PNR na habang nag a-upgrade at nag dadagdag ito ng makabagong tren….ay dapat ganun din ang pag-iigting nito sa safety measures kasama na ang pag dadagdag ng mga crossing keeper, at makabagong barriers,signals at mga ilaw…” (It is the responsibility of PNR that while they upgrade and add new trains…they’re to be diligent in their safety measures that includes increasing cross keeper and new barriers, signals and light.)

It seems na may aminadong “Kakulangan ng facilididad ng PNR”, (It seems that there is an admission that “there is a lack of facilities in PNR”), and

When asked about what measures they’re doing about safety?

Ang sagot ay… “Just bear with us noh kundi inuunti unti talaga namin, we also have other priorities, like yung line opening ng line namin manila to ano, Manila to Bicol….(The answer is..Just bear with us, we are little by little, doing something about it, we also have other priorities, like the line we are opening up from Manila to Bicol)

JUST BEAR WITH US?!!!!!! What kind of answer is that????!!!!

Sabi pa, “We have warned the public several times…the old adage, STOP, LOOK and LISTEN!”

Obviously several times is not enough!!

Archimedes Arboleda is a 35 year old responsible husband and father working nights at JP Morgan in the Fort to provide his family’s needs, while some people are not being responsible enough giving safety warnings?

Based on this law Section, 61,
(ii) says,, you are to warn the public, “AT ALL TIMES”!

Ulitin ko lang ha…and sabi “just bear with us” daw! (Let me repeat, you are saying “Just bear with us?!”)

Inuunti, unti??? dahil may ibang priorities?… (Little by little?, because you have other priorities?)

PNR Officers, if you don’t want to own up to your responsibilities, be at least sensible in giving your responses…

How much is the capitalization for PNR?

Php 500,000,000,000.00 , ( P500 BILLION???!!!) And you can’t afford to provide Sufficient SAFETY DEVICES???

Archie’s son, Liam a 6 year old kid is to going to grow without his dad, and miss on having to call someone his dad, not to have a father watch his games, not have a dad attend his school gatherings, no dad to put a medal on him when he is to receive some, and no dad to teach him things that should come from a father. Forever miss on having a dad who will provide his needs!

How much are PNR’s penalties according to the law?

Oh my gosh, this shocked me!!! Per day of not operating is P1,000,000.00! PER DAY YAN HA!
pero for a HUMAN LIFE LOST, P300,000!

Mas mahal pa pala ang halaga ng operation ng tren, sa buhay ng tao???!

SAFETY MUST be an ALL TIME PRIMARY PRIORITY whether the PNR has
a other Priority projects or not…
Safety is a 24/7 priority not a project!

How about PNR making it a project to make sure, LIAM will get the the provisions and education he needs that his father is supposed to take care of , if your priorities are arranged right!

Do you know how valuable a human life is? It costed the life of JESUS CHRIST to save humanity!

There has to be a communication device that will let the motorists know ahead of time, that a train is coming!
Do you agree that PNR does it’s part in making sure that they effectively communicated a safety reminder or a risk warning?

Archie Arboleda passed away, January 6, 2012, in an accident at the PNR Railway!

If you are a family, friend, office mate of Archie, or a person who wants to prevent this accidents from happening again, please pass this post.

Is a crossing keeper enough to prevent accidents or a barrier be imperative on all crossings?
Will appreciate comments! Salamat po!

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