NextGen Day

On Thursday, Senator JV Ejercito hailed the PHP113.99 billion budget that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has suggested for the Marcos administration’s railway project.

The planned budget, according to Ejercito, is five times larger than the PHP23 billion this year.

“I’m glad to see that this is moving along at full speed. I’m hoping that DOTr will be able to step up to the plate so that it can finish this “During a briefing with the Senate Committee on Finance, which Senator Sonny Angara leads, the Development Budget Coordination Committee (DBCC) made this statement.

According to Benjamin Diokno, secretary of the department of finance, the general appropriations for the railway project total more than PHP300 billion.

We will give the money as soon as they [DOTr] can implement, stated Diokno.

He recalled that in his State of the Nation Address, President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. assured the public that the administration is concentrating on the rail transit system.

“Mass transit should be prioritized above creating many new highways. I sympathize with your impatience, but these are significant initiatives. In the upcoming year or two, I can tell you we will step it up “said Diokno.

“That’s appreciated, Sec. Ben, I believe we have much to catch up on, particularly with our ASEAN neighbors. They have made significant infrastructure investments, and I appreciate that President BBM’s Build, Better, More Program has kept the Build, Build, Build Program going. Therefore, I expect to see more of this (and I hope it continues), “Ejercito answered.

The legislator stated that increasing the DOTr’s absorptive capacity will be difficult.

Amenah Pangandaman, the Department of Budget and Management secretary, concurred with Ejercito but assured the senator that the DOTr would move much more quickly than in the past under Secretary Jaime Bautista’s new leadership.

“We pushed PHP378.2 billion foreign-assisted projects for the 2023 NEP (National Expenditure Program). We listed the budget under the unprogrammed allocations rather than under the program, “She spoke.

In an earlier remark, Ejercito claimed that upgrading the nation’s rail network will open up opportunities for rural economic centers and relieve congestion in the archipelago’s metropolitan centers.

“We have long envisioned turning the railroad stations into thriving economic hubs with business districts, industrial parks, commercial hubs, and agricultural terminals. According to him, this will expand development from Metro Manila to Cebu, Davao, and other remote regions of the nation.

Save/Share this story with QR CODE

---

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute endorsement of any specific technologies or methodologies and financial advice or endorsement of any specific products or services.

Need to get in touch?

Feel free to Contact NextGenDay.com for comments, suggestions, reviews, or anything else.

---

We appreciate your reading. Simple Ways To Say Thanks & Support Us:
1.) GIVE A TIP. Send a small donation thru Paypal
Your DONATION will be used to fund and maintain NEXTGENDAY.com
Subscribers in the Philippines can make donations to mobile number 0917 906 3081, thru GCash.
3.) BUY or SIGN UP to our AFFILIATE PARTNERS.
4.) Give this news article a THUMBS UP, and Leave a Comment (at Least Five Words).

---

AFFILIATE PARTNERS

World Class Nutritional Supplements - Buy Highest Quality Products, Purest Most Healthy Ingredients, Direct to your Door! Up to 90% OFF.
Join LiveGood Today - A company created to satisfy the world's most demanding leaders and entrepreneurs, with the best compensation plan today.

---