DOTr: Bulk of 2020 infra fund to go to railway sector

MANILA, Philippines — Almost 99 percent of the P108-billion proposed infrastructure projects of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) for 2020 will go to the railway sector, a transportation official said Thursday.

DOTr Undersecretary for Finance Garry de Guzman said some P106.7 billion was earmarked for railways under their proposed 2020 budget. Another P346.5 million was set for the aviation sector, P507.5 million for the maritime sector, P101 million for the road sector, and P360.6 million for infrastructure preparation and innovation facility (IPIF).

(From DOTr’s presentation)

To be funded by the P106.7 billion allocation are the North-South Commuter railway system, the Metro Manila subway project phase 1, LRT line 1 Cavite extension, the Mindanao railway project, the PNR South long haul project, and the MRT rehabilitation project.

Budget hike sought

Despite the 111.3 percent increase in the 2020 proposed budget by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) under the National Expenditure Program for the DOTr, the agency still asked for a P2.9 billion augmentation to fund its other priority projects.

Of the requested amount, De Guzman said P865 million will go to the aviation sector, P486.5 million for the maritime, P1.5 billion for the road sector, and another P62 million for the creation of the Philippine Railway Institute.

De Guzman further specified that they seek to provide funding for the development of four airports in Laguindingan, Virac, Ormoc City, and Antique to decongest the Ninoy Aquino International Airport.

The agency also hopes to get P227.5-million funding for the Pagasa Island port, P691 million for the public utility vehicle modernization program and P201.9 million for the Interagency Council for Traffic, he added. /muf