The Department of Transportation said Thursday it proposed a P214.3-billion budget next year to support the country’s ‘Build Better More’ program.
The agency’s budget for next year is higher than this year’s P106 billion.
It said P176.4 billion of the funding would 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 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.
The rail transport program will receive over 76.4 percent of the DOTr budget, facilitating the improvement and construction of modern railway systems.
Among its projects are 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 get P6.4 billion to finance the 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.
The DOTr allocated P6.1 billion for aviation program, which focuses on modernizing and developing airports nationwide.
Investments include projects the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (P1.6 billion); Kalibo International Airport (P581 million); Laoag International Airport (P500 million); Tacloban Airport (P500 million); Busuanga Airport (P405 million); New Zamboanga International Airport (P300 million); New Manila International Airport (P200 million); Bukidnon Airport (P120 million); New Dumaguete Airport Development Project (P500 million); and the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Projects (P97 million).
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.
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.