The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is projected to spend 76 percent of the proposed P214.3-billion budget for next year for the improvement and construction of modern railway systems in the country.
DOTr’s proposed budget for 2024 has doubled from its P160-billion budget allocation this year.
A substantial portion of its proposed 2024 budget 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 Marcos Jr., the DOTr said.
“Transportation policy can have significant and lasting impacts on overall 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 billion in the FY 2023 GAA (General Appropriations Act) to P214.3 billion for 2024,” said the President.
A total of P176.4 billion of this funding will be directed towards DOTr’s public sector infrastructure budget, fostering high-impact infrastructure flagship public transport projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board, including the North-South Commuter Railway System (NSCR) and the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase 1 under the rail transport program; the land public transportation program; and the aviation and maritime infrastructure programs.
The rail transport program will receive over 76 percent of the DOTr budget for rail projects, such as the NSCR, MMSP Phase I, Light Rail Transit-1 Cavite extension project, Philippine National Railways South Long Haul project and the Metro Rail Transit-3 rehabilitation.
The land public transportation program will receive P6.4 billion in 2024.
Meanwhile, the aviation program focuses on modernizing and developing airports nationwide, with an allocation of P6.1 billion. Investments include projects for the Ninoy Aquino International Airport with an allocation of P1.6 billion; Kalibo International Airport, P581 million; and Laoag International Airport, P500 million, among others.
To improve air traffic management, P1.3 billion will be allotted to the new Communications, Navigation and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management System development project. This will allow air traffic controllers to communicate more effectively with the latest technology.
DOTr’s maritime infrastructure program will receive P988 million to improve response to maritime incidents and enhance the conduct of maritime law enforcement and security operations.
