BUTUAN CITY -- A substantial portion of the proposed P214.3 billion 2024 budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) will support the country’s Build Better More Program, which is among the top priorities in the 8-point socioeconomic agenda of the administration of President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.

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)