[Post from DOTr](https://www.facebook.com/share/v/19ZPVEqfbz/)

𝐇𝐎𝐔𝐒𝐄 𝐎𝐊𝐬 ₱𝟑𝟎𝟎.𝟗𝟔-𝐁 𝐃𝐎𝐓𝐫 𝐁𝐔𝐃𝐆𝐄𝐓 𝐅𝐎𝐑 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟕

𝘚𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘪𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦 𝘱𝘶𝘴𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘷𝘪𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘋𝘖𝘛𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘨𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘻𝘦𝘳𝘰 𝘣𝘶𝘥𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘕𝘌𝘗

The House of Representatives has approved the ₱300.96 billion proposed budget of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and its attached agencies for 2027 after House majority and minority members agreed to terminate plenary deliberations at 1:12 AM  on Thursday, September 24. 

The proposed budget reflects the government’s push for a faster, safer, and more reliable public transportation system.

Transportation Secretary Banoy Lopez thanked the House of Representatives for its continued support of the department's budget, emphasizing that it is intended to ease the burden on Filipino commuters.

"Muli po akong nagpapasalamat kina House Committee on Appropriations Vice Chairperson Edwin Ongchuan, House sponsor Rep. Reynante Arrogancia, at House Transportation Committee Chair Franz Pumaren. Pinasasalamatan ko rin po sina House Speaker Faustino “Bojie” Dy at House Appropriations Committee Chairperson at Nueva Ecija Rep. Mikaela Suansing, maging ang buong kapulungan sa pagsuporta sa ating panukalang budget para maisakatuparan ang layunin ng ating Pangulong Marcos Jr., na gawing mas mabilis at maginhawa ang araw-araw na biyahe ng ating mga komyuter," Secretary Lopez said.

Northern Samar 2nd District Representative Edwin Ongchuan, who sponsored the DOTr budget, underscored that the proposed budget goes beyond infrastructure spending, stressing that it is ultimately about improving the lives of Filipinos through better mobility and inclusive growth.

"Transportation is not merely about infrastructure; it is about time, opportunity, and the dignity of our people. This budget responds to that reality. Through strategic investments in modern railways, safer roads, efficient airports, and stronger maritime facilities, we are building a transport system that eases congestion, improves safety, and connects communities across our archipelago, from the busiest urban centers to our most remote islands," Rep. Ongchuan said.

Meanwhile, Akbayan Partylist Rep. Percy Cendaña expressed dismay and asked Congress to restore the budget DOTr originally proposed for vital programs that received zero budget in the National Expenditure Program (NEP). These include  the ₱1.7 Billion proposed budget for EDSA Busway, ₱5 billion for Service Contracting Program (SCP), and ₱5 billion for Fuel Subsidy Program (FSP).

As oil prices continue to strain the transport sector, these programs are vital to keeping public transport reliable and affordable for Filipino commuters.

"Ito pong triple zero na ito parang sampal sa ating mga mananakay na publiko. Zeroing out the EDSA Carousel Program, the Service Contracting Program, and the Fuel Subsidy Program would mean zero support for commuters and our transport sector. Napakaraming kababayan po natin ang nakikiusap na ibalik ang budget ng mga programang ito," Rep. Cendaña said.

The lawmaker also expressed support for the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP), which likewise received no funding. The DOTr is proposing ₱111.29 million allocation for the program.

"Mr. Speaker, inuulit ko po, road crashes are the leading cause of death for young Filipinos 15 to 29 years old. And yet, hindi mapondohan ang Philippine Road Safety Action Plan. Nakababagabag, nakakagalit, at nakakatakot," he added.

Rep. Cendaña also raised concern that reduced funding for right-of-way (ROW) acquisition could delay the implementation of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) by two years.

The DOTr has originally proposed ₱98.5 billion for the ROW acquisition across all its infrastructure projects for 2027, but only received P2.79 billion in the NEP.

"Nakalulungkot pong balita na kailangan pang maghirap, magtiis ng ating mga kababayan, ng dagdag pang dalawang taon dahil sa kakulangan po ng allocation for right-of-way acquisition. Sigurado po ako na 'pag narinig ito ng ating mga kababayan sa Central Luzon, sa Metro Manila, at sa Southern Tagalog, talaga pong umaaray sila para malaman na dalawang taon ang magiging delay," he said.

Sec. Lopez has reiterated his appeal to both the House of Representatives and the Senate to allocate and restore the budget DOTr has originally proposed for these important programs so as not to delay major transport infrastructure improvements that will benefit millions of commuters. 

The transport chief assured that the department's proposed 2027 budget will accelerate the implementation of major transport infrastructure projects across the railway, aviation, road, and maritime sectors, vital to improving the daily commute of ordinary Filipinos.

"Tinitiyak natin sa ating mga kababayan na patuloy tayo sa ating pagsisikap  na pabilisin ang pagkumpleto ng mga proyektong magpapaginhawa sa byahe ng ating mga komyuter," Sec. Lopez stressed.

\#DOTrPH🇵🇭

\#KomyuterMuna

\#BagongPilipinas

House OKs ₱306.96 Billion DOTr Budget For 2027