Lion’s share of DOTr’s P214.3-B proposed 2024 budget earmarked for infra — DBM

A big chunk or over 80% of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) P214.3-billion proposed budget for 2024 will be allocated for infrastructure development in support of the Marcos administration’s “Build Better More” initiative, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) said Thursday.

In a statement, the DBM said a total of P176.4 billion out of the DOTr’s entire proposed expenditure program next 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.”

The Transportation Department’s flagship projects include 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.

In his Budget Message, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. said the significance of increasing the DOTr's funding from 2023 was due to “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 Fiscal Year 2023 GAA (General Appropriations Act) to P214.3 billion for 2024," said Marcos.

For her part, Budget Secretary Amenah Pangandaman said the DOTr’s budget will prioritize physical connectivity infrastructure such as road networks and railway systems.

Rail and land transport

The DBM said the DOTr’s Rail Transport Program will receive over 76.4% of the its budget.

The budget will be divided among the key projects of the Transportation agency:

• North-South Commuter Railway System (P76.3 billion) - will connect New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac to Calamba, Laguna
• Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I (P68.4 billion) - will consist of 15 stations from Valenzuela City to Pasay City
• LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project (P4.7 billion) - will add 11 kilometers to the existing railway system
• Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Project (P3.1 billion) - will reconstruct the PNR South Main Line
• the MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project (P2.9 billion)

Likewise, the Land Public Transportation Program will receive P6.4 billion in 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
• EDSA Greenways Project (P263 million) to build safe walkways around Metro Manila.

Aviation, maritime

The DBM said the DOTr's Aviation Program focuses will have allocation of P6.1 billion.

Major projects under the aviation development program of the Transport agency include the Ninoy Aquino International Airport at P1.6 billion, Kalibo International Airport at P581 million, Laoag International Airport at P500 million, Tacloban Airport at P500 million, Busuanga Airport at P405 million, New Zamboanga International Airport, at P300 million, New Manila International Airport at P200 million, Bukidnon Airport at P120 million, New Dumaguete Airport Development Project at P500 million, and the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Projects (NBACSEPP) at 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,” the DBM said.

“This will allow air traffic controllers to communicate more effectively with the latest technology,” it said.

Meanwhile, 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,” according to the DBM. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News