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82% of the Department of Transportation’s proposed P214.3-billion budget for 2024 will fund various projects that support the administration’s infrastructure program
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The rail transport program will receive more than 76.4% of the DOTr budget while P6.4 billion will go to land transport, P6.1 billion to aviation, and P988 million for maritime
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DOTr’s 2024 budget is double its P106-billion 2023 outlay
About 82% of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) proposed P214.3-billion budget for 2024 will be used for various infrastructure projects that support the administration’s Build Better More Program (BBM).
A total of P176.4 billion will be directed towards the DOTr’s public sector infrastructure budget, in support of high-impact infrastructure flagship public transport projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board.
The rail transport program will receive over 76.4% of the budget, facilitating the improvement and construction of modern railway systems. The investment will include the following projects:
- P76.3-billion North-South Commuter Railway System that will connect New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac to Calamba, Laguna
- P68.4-billion Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I, which will consist of 15 stations from Valenzuela City to Pasay City
- P4.7-billion Light Rail Transit-Line 1 Cavite Extension Project that will add 11 kilometers to the existing railway system
- P3.1-billion Philippine National Railways (PNR) South Long-Haul Project, which will reconstruct the PNR South Main Line
- P2.9-billion Metro Rail Transit-3 Rehabilitation Project
The land public transportation program will receive P6.4 billion for the following projects:
- P1-billion Davao Public Transport Modernization Project to upgrade transport services in Davao City
- P909-million EDSA Busway Project to benefit 600,000 commuters per day
- P700-million Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project to decongest roads in Cebu City
- P500-million Active Transport Bike Share System and Safe Pathways Program in Metropolitan Areas to construct more bike lanes and proper public transport stops
- P263-million EDSA Greenways Project to build safe walkways around Metro Manila
The aviation program, meanwhile, focuses on modernizing and developing airports nationwide with an allocation of P6.1 billion. Investments include the following projects:
- P1.6 billion for Ninoy Aquino International Airport
- P581 million for Kalibo International Airport
- P500 million for Laoag International Airport
- P500 million for Tacloban Airport
- P405 million for Busuanga Airport
- P300 million for New Zamboanga International Airport
- P200 million for New Manila International Airport
- P120 million for Bukidnon Airport
- P500 million for New Dumaguete Airport Development Project
- P97 million for New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Projects
To improve air traffic management, P1.3 billion will be allotted for the new communications, navigation, and surveillance/air traffic management (CNS/ATM) System Development Project to allow air traffic controllers to communicate more effectively with the latest technology.
On January 1, the power supply of Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines’ (CAAP) CNS/ATM system broke down and resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights in the country.
CAAP director general Manuel Antonio Tamayo had said earlier the CNS/ATM system “at this point in time is still state of the art and a gold standard as far as air traffic control is concerned” but it needs an upgrade in software and hardware.
The 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.
DOTr’s proposed P214.3-billion budget for 2024 is double its P106-billion budget for 2023. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., in his budget message to Congress, said this is due to the “urgent need to improve the country’s public mass transport system and reduce road congestion.”
DOTr’s P176.4-billion infrastructure budget for 2024 is part of the P1.42 trillion allocation for the administration’s BBM program, which includes an P801.2-billion funding for the Department of Public Works and Highways.
The P1.42-trillion budget is equivalent to 5.3% of the country’s gross domestic product and is part of the proposed P5.77 trillion national budget for 2024.
Marcos said during his recent State of the Nation Address that the budget for infrastructure spending will stay at 5% to 6% of the country’s GDP.
The push on infrastructure development under BBM is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028 and the country’s Medium-Term Fiscal Framework, the Department of Budget and Management said in a statement.
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