The Department of Transportation said Wednesday it ramped up the disbursements of funds to speed up the completion of priority infrastructure projects.
The agency said it disbursed more than P43 billion as of end-June for various priority transport infrastructure projects under the government’s Build, Better More Program.
Based on preliminary data, disbursements stood at 56 percent of existing obligations/contracts, which is in line with the monthly disbursement program of the agency.
The P43-billion disbursement placed the DOTr among the top seven agencies in government disbursements, alongside Department of Public Works and Highways, Department of Education, Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of National Defense, Department of Social Welfare and Development and Department of Health, as shown in the notice of cash allocation utilization report published by the Department of Budget and Management.
Earlier in June, the Bureau of the Treasury cited DOTr for its significant disbursements, which translate to completion of important segments of priority projects such as the North South Commuter Railway System, the Metro Manila Subway Project, various airport and seaport projects.
“The DOTr commits to further streamline its processes, work closely with other government agencies and contractors to ensure timely completion of portions of projects scheduled this year,” Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said.
He said further disbursements were expected in the second semester with the award of remaining segments of railways projects and other transport infrastructure.
Bautista earlier said the agency was accelerating rail, maritime, road and aviation infrastructure projects that would bring socio-economic benefits to Filipinos.
Under its Build-Better-More Program, the government identified 194 infrastructure flagship projects worth around P8.3 trillion.
Bautista said besides the massive North-South Commuter Railway system and the over 1,000 kilometers of railway projects, other pipeline big-ticket rail infrastructure include the LRT-1 Cavite Extension, MRT-4, MRT-7 and the country’s first-ever underground railway, the Metro Manila Subway.
He also identified crucial airport projects such as the NAIA privatization, Clark International Airport, New Manila International Airport in Bulacan and Sangley Point International Airport in Cavite.