The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released P44.17 billion to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to accelerate the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase I and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System, following a direct order from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.
Authorized via two Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) on March 23, the funding is designed to maintain construction momentum and prevent delays.
“These are projects that Filipinos have waited decades for. By order of the President, it cannot be delayed any longer. We are making sure that funding is not the bottleneck—so these projects can move faster and deliver real relief to commuters,” Budget Secretary Ronaldo Toledo said.
Once completed, the MMSP and NSCR are expected to dramatically cut travel time, decongest major corridors, and provide safer, more efficient mobility for millions of daily commuters.
The P44.17-billion release is charged against the Unprogrammed Appropriations under the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), specifically for Support to Foreign-Assisted Projects (SFAPs)—a mechanism that ensures critical infrastructure projects continue without delay once financing requirements are met.
Of the total amount, P21.28 billion will fund the NSCR System and MMSP Phase I, financed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency, while P22.88 billion will support the NSCR System under its loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank.
“Every peso we release for infrastructure is an investment in time saved, opportunities created, and everyday comfort for our countrymen. This is not just a project—it is a solution to the hardship of traveling for millions of Filipinos,” Toledo said.
With sustained funding support, the DBM reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that high-impact infrastructure projects are implemented without delay, turning the national budget into concrete improvements in the lives of Filipinos.
Additionally, the Budget Department has released P16.5 billion to the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to cover the settlement of its due and demandable accounts payable.
The DBM chief said the move is part of the administration’s strategy to keep infrastructure projects on track while stimulating economic activity.
“Government spending, especially in infrastructure, has a strong multiplier effect. When we release funds on time, we support jobs, strengthen businesses, and accelerate project completion—creating immediate and tangible benefits for our people,” Toledo said.
He also stressed that the release underwent strict validation, ensuring that only properly supported and documented obligations were approved, consistent with budgeting, accounting, and auditing rules.
“It is important that the release is fast, but it is more important that the process of releasing the funds is correct. We ensure that every peso is backed by complete documentation and aligned with the law. That is how we balance speed with accountability,” Toledo said.
