(File photo)

CALOOCAN CITY, (PIA) -- The fund for the construction of train infrastructures that was included in the P5.268 trillion National Expenditure Program (NEP) of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. was raised almost five times. for 2023.

From P23.12 billion in 2022, the proposed budget swelled to P113.99 billion for next year.

According to Albay Representative Joey Salceda, the chairman of the House Ways and Means committee, under the 2023 NEP proposal submitted to the House of Representatives, President Marcos wants to expand the railway projects in the country as vital transportation, as he signaled the start of the "Build Better More" program.

"The image of President Marcos as the 'Big Ticket Project President' stands out, especially in relation to the big train projects as stated in the 2023 NEP where P113.99 billion is budgeted for it," according to Salceda.

Salceda thanked Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista for keeping the Bicol Rail on the agenda of the DOTr.

He also appealed to Finance Secretary Ben Diokno to continue promoting the Bicol Rail loans.

“I begged Secretary Diokno to pursue the Bicol Rail loans and the entire PNR South Long Haul project. I think the large unprogrammed appropriations for loan proceeds indicate that the administration hopes that the negotiations will be completed this year and that the investment funds for the projects will be received next year," according to the lawmaker.

Salceda also said that he is continuing to communicate with the DOTr for the establishment of the Legazpi-Daraga Tramway, which will use the former PNR tracks that traverse the Daraga town and Legazpi City. (PIA-NCR)