DOTr got P9.5B from Bayanihan 2, exec says

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has received some P9.5 billion in additional funds from the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act, bulk of which to be used for service contracting efforts to assist drivers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

At a virtual briefing on Wednesday, Transportation Undersecretary for Finance Garry de Guzman said the notice of cash allocation was credited to the DOTr on Tuesday, November 3, 2020.

The additional funds include P5.58 billion for service contracting, P2.6 billion for assistance to critically impacted transportation sectors, and P1.3 billion for the establishment of bike lanes.

Broken down, the assistance for critically impacted sectors covers P469 million for the Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), P300 million for the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP), P250 million for the Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), and P52 million for the Mactan-Cebu International Airport.

"Hopefully, 'yung effect noon bababa rin po siguro 'yung pamasahe ng pasahero at tsaka 'yung mga products natin, mga agriculture products, kasi iwe-waive na po 'yung PPA 'yung mga dockage fees," said De Guzman.

For aviation, the government will waive navigation charges as well as landing and takeoff fees to provide assistance to the airline industry which has been badly hit by the pandemic given the implementation of quarantine measures designed to curb the spread of the disease.

Bayanihan 2 was signed into law by President Rodrigo Duterte in September, providing a P165.5-billion relief package to finance efforts against COVID-19. — RSJ, GMA News