House subpanel OKs P2.35-B DOTr budget boost for 2027 key programs

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has been allocated an additional P2.349 billion in its proposed budget for 2027 as the House of Representatives’ budget review subcommittee approved amendments for the funding of its four key programs. 

The Budget Amendments Review Subcommittee on Thursday began its deliberations on the proposed amendments to the P7.2-trillion House budget bill. The subcommittee, composed of select lawmakers from major political parties and the minority bloc, is tasked to discuss amendments expected to be introduced by lawmakers before being voted on the floor for second reading. 

Northern Samar Rep. Edwin Ongchuan made the motions to allocate a budget for four line items under the DOTr, as per the request of Transport Secretary Giovanni Lopez. The agency was given a budget of P300.960 billion under the NEP, which was a 52.52 percent increase from the 2026 NEP of P197.331 billion. 

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Among these programs are the service contracting program (SCP), fuel subsidy, and the Metro Manila busway project which received zero allocation under the 2027 National Expenditure Program. 

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Ongchuan proposed to give P500 million for the SCP and P1 billion for the fuel subsidy, as he noted the unstable fuel prices brought by the Middle East crisis and the Ukraine-Russia war. 

House committee on appropriations chairperson Mikaela Suansing said that a lot of lawmakers were surprised when they found out that the fuel subsidy received no funding under the NEP despite the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. The conflict has repeatedly caused oil price hikes, which affected the livelihood of many public utility vehicle drivers. 

“Nagulat tayong lahat na zero siya sa NEP given that the previous allocation was totally wiped out because of the Middle East crisis. I fully support the manifestation of Rep. Ongchuan to add P1 billion for the fuel transport subsidy,” Suansing said during the deliberations. 

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(We were shocked that it was allotted zero funding under the NEP given that the previous allocation was totally wiped out because of the Middle East crisis. I fully support the manifestation of Rep. Ongchuan to add P1 billion for the fuel transport subsidy.)

Suansing pointed out that the funding for the fuel subsidy for the 2024 and 2025 General Appropriations Act remained untouched prior to the Middle East conflict that began in February 2026. 

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Ongchuan also introduced P75 million funding for the busway project to sustain its operations in providing more convenient public transportation experience to commuters. 

During the budget briefing of the House panel on the proposed budget of the agency last September 3, several lawmakers pushed for the budget restoration of the busway project. 

Lastly, Ongchuan proposed to allocate P774 million for various locally-funded projects of the agency.

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All of his motions were approved without any objections. /mr