By Carmela Martinez

The Main Line South (MLS) of the Philippine National Railways (PNR) is now open in Iriga City and ready to transport rolling stock materials after the PNR authorities inspected it, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) announced Tuesday.

The inspection trip went through Tutuban, Manila; San Pablo, Laguna; Lucena City, Quezon province; and Sipocot, Naga City and Iriga City in Camarines Sur.

This made the line suitable to receive transfer of rolling stock materials between Manila and Bicol.

Combined team from the PNR Operations Engineering, Rolling Stock Management and Planning conducted the inspection. They left Manila on Sept. 20 and came back Sept. 23.

The usual 15-hour ride from Naga to Tutuban was shortened to 12 hours and 44 minutes.

The inspection was in line with the preparation to re-open the Sipocot-Naga-Legazpi commuter service.

It was also made to coincide with the feast day of Our Lady of Peñafrancia so they can follow the traditional Peñafrancia special trip that the PNR has been doing since 1939.

According to the PNR, the Main Line South is the regional rail backbone of Southern Luzon.