Infra dev't. gets highest share of transportation budget in 2024
This push on infrastructure development is aligned with the Philippine
Development Plan 2023-2028, and the country’s medium term fiscal framework.
President Bongbong Marcos, in his budget message, clearly emphasized the
significance of increasing the DOTr's funding from 2023, underlining the vital
role of transportation policy in driving sustainable economic growth.
“Transportation policy can have significant and lasting impacts on overall
economic growth. Hence, with the urgent need to improve our country’s public
mass transport system and reduce road congestion, we have doubled the budget
for the DOTr from P106.0 billion in the FY 2023 GAA to P214.3 billion for
2024," said the President.
For her part, Department of Budget and Management (DBM)
Secretary Amenah F. Pangandaman, who chairs the DBCC, underscored the
importance of sustaining the Build Better More Program by expanding
infrastructure development.
“This will prioritize physical connectivity infrastructure such as road
networks and railway systems, which will cover almost half or 43.5 percent of
the [national] budget. Specifically, this will support major transport programs
such as the North-South Commuter Railway System and the Metro Manila Subway
Project Phase I,” said Secretary Pangandaman.
A total of P176.4 billion of this funding will be directed towards the DOTr’s
public sector infrastructure budget, fostering high-impact infrastructure
flagship public transport projects approved by the National Economic
Development Authority (NEDA) Board, including the North-South Commuter Railway
System and the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I under the Rail Transport
Program; the Land Public Transportation Program; and the Aviation and Maritime
Infrastructure Programs of the DOTr.
Mass Transport Systems
The Rail Transport Program will receive over 76.4% of the DOTr
budget, facilitating the improvement and construction of modern railway
systems. The investment will include projects such as the North-South Commuter
Railway System, the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I, LRT Line 1 Cavite
Extension Project, the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Project,
and the MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project.
Among its projects is the development of the North-South
Commuter Railway System (P76.3 billion), which will connect New Clark City in
Capas, Tarlac to Calamba, Laguna; the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I
(P68.4 billion), which will consist of 15 stations from Valenzuela City to
Pasay City; LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project (P4.7 billion), which will add
11 kilometers to the existing railway system; Philippine National Railways
South Long Haul Project (P3.1 billion), which will reconstruct the PNR South
Main Line; and the MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project (P2.9 billion).
The Land Public Transportation Program will receive P6.4 billion
in FY 2024 for the following: Davao Public Transport Modernization Project
(P1.0 billion) to upgrade transport services in Davao City; EDSA Busway Project
(P909 million) to benefit 600,000 commuters per day; Cebu Bus Rapid Transit
Project (P700 million) to decongest roads in Cebu City; Active Transport Bike
Share System and Safe Pathways Program in Metropolitan Areas (P500 million) to
construct more bike lanes and proper public transport stops; and EDSA Greenways
Project (P263 million) to build safe walkways around Metro Manila.
Aviation Program
Meanwhile, the Aviation Program focuses on modernizing and
developing airports nationwide with an allocation of P6.1 billion. Investments
include projects the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (P1.6 billion); Kalibo
International Airport (P581 million); Laoag International Airport, (P500M);
Tacloban Airport, (P500 million); Busuanga Airport, (P405M); New Zamboanga
International Airport, (P300M); New Manila International Airport (P200M;
Bukidnon Airport, P120M; New Dumaguete Airport Development Project (P500
million); and the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment
Protection Projects (NBACSEPP), P97 million.
To improve air traffic management, P1.3 billion will be allotted
to the new Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management
(CNS/ATM) System Development Project. This will allow air traffic controllers
to communicate more effectively with the latest technology.
Maritime Infrastructure
The DOTr’s Maritime Infrastructure Program will receive P988 million, inclusive
of P625 million for the Maritime Safety Enhancement Project, and P134 million
for the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase I to improve
response to maritime incidents and enhance the conduct of maritime law
enforcement and security operations.(DBM/PIA-Caraga)
