MANILA, Philippines – Malaking bahagi ng proposed P214.3 bilyon na badyet ng Department of Transportation (DOTR) para sa 2024 ang mapupunta sa implementasyon ng “Build Better More” infrastructure program ng administrasyong Marcos, sinabi ng Department of Budget and Management (DBM) nitong Huwebes, Agosto 10.
Sa pahayag, sinabi ng DBM na kabuuang P176.4 bilyon ng proposed 2024 budget ng DOTR ang mapupunta sa Public Sector Infrastructure budget, na susuporta sa high-impact infrastructure flagship public transport projects na inaprubahan ng National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Board.
Kabilang sa infrastructure projects ang North-South Commuter Railway System at Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I sa ilalim ng Rail Transport Program; Land Public Transportation Program; at Aviation and Maritime Infrastructure Programs of the DOTr.
Sinabi ng DBM na ang Rail Transport Program ay makatatanggap pa ng higit sa 76.4% ng proposed budget para sa infrastructure development upang tugunan ang pagpapaunlad at konstruksyon ng modern railway systems.
“The investment will include projects, such as the North-South Commuter Railway System, the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I, LRT (Light Rail Transit) Line 1 Cavite Extension Project, the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Project, and the MRT (Metro Rail Transit) Line 3 Rehabilitation Project,” pahayag ng DBM.
Ayon pa sa ahensya, nasa P76.3 bilyon ang ilalaan sa pagpapaunlad ng North-South Commuter Railway System, na magkokonekta sa New Clark City sa Capas, Tarlac patungong Calamba, Laguna.
Nasa kabuuang P68.4 bilyon naman ang gagamitin para sa Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I, na binubuo ng 15 istasyon mula Valenzuela City patungong Pasay City.
Maglalaan din ang pamahalaan ng P4.7 bilyon para sa LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project na magdaragdag ng 11 kilometro sa kasalukuyang railway system, P3.1 bilyon para sa Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Project, na magsasaayos ng PNR South Main Line, at P2.9 bilyon sa rehabilitasyon ng MRT-3.
Sinabi pa ng DBM na makakakuha rin ng P6.4 bilyon ang Land Public Transportation Program para sa ilang infrastructure projects katulad ng Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, EDSA Busway Project, Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project, Active Transport Bike Share System at Safe Pathways Program sa Metropolitan Areas, at EDSA Greenways Project.
Sa Aviation Program naman, P6.1 bilyon ang ilalaan.
“Investments include projects the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (PHP1.6 billion); Kalibo International Airport (PHP581 million); Laoag International Airport (PHP500 million); Tacloban Airport (PHP500 million); Busuanga Airport (PHP405 million); New Zamboanga International Airport (PHP300 million); New Manila International Airport (PHP200 million); Bukidnon Airport (PHP120 million); New Dumaguete Airport Development Project (PHP500 million); and the New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Protection Projects (PHP97 million),” sinabi ng DBM.
Upang mapabuti rin ang air traffic management, sinabi ng DBM na P1.3 bilyon ang ilalaan para sa bagong Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) System Development Project.
Ayon pa sa ahensya, P988 milyon naman ang para sa Maritime Infrastructure Program, kabilang ang P625 milyon para sa Maritime Safety Enhancement Project at P134 million para sa Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project Phase I.
“This push on infrastructure development is aligned with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, and the country’s Medium-Term Fiscal Framework,” sinabi ng DBM.
Sa Budget Message, iginiit ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang kahalagahan ng pagpapataas sa budget ng DOTR para sa 2024.
“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 PHP106.0 billion in the FY (fiscal year) 2023 GAA (General Appropriations Act) to PHP214.3 billion for 2024,” ayon kay Marcos. RNT/JGC
