By Azer N. Parrocha
MANILA, Sept. 15 (PNA) — The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said on Tuesday that it will set aside a total of Php 29.9 billion for various transport projects next year.
During a budget hearing at the House of Representatives, DOTC Assistant Secretary for Planning Sherielysse Reyes-Bonifacio said that out of the amount, about Php 20.9 billion would be locally-funded projects while Php 8.9 billion would be foreign-assisted.
Governance projects will make up the highest percent of the budget pie at 33 percent (Php9.9-billion); followed by aviation at 30 percent (Php9-billion); railways at 27 percent (Php 7.9-billion); roads and bridges at six percent (Php 1.7-billion), and ports and lighthouses and harbors at four percent (Php 1.2-billion).
DOTC said that the increase in budget for governance project allocation was due to upgrades and rehabilitation works for the Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3).
In the same hearing, DOTC Secretary Joseph Emilio Abaya said the agency aimed to control ownership of the country’s oldest rail system but privatize its operations and maintenance (O&M). (PNA)