The Department of Transportation (DOTr) is seeking PHP 300.96 billion for 2027, with PHP 243.93 billion, or about 81%, earmarked for mass transportation. However, several programs face major cuts, while 12 projects are set to receive no funding under the proposed National Expenditure Program (NEP).

One of the biggest cuts is for the Active Transport Bike Share System and Safe Pathways, which would receive only PHP 34 million, 97% less than the PHP 1.13 billion originally requested. Among the projects with zero allocation are the Philippine Road Safety Action Plan (PRSAP) 2023-2028 and the NCR Busway Project, or EDSA Carousel. The DOTr had requested PHP 111 million for the PRSAP and PHP 1.756 billion for the NCR Busway Project.

Lawmaker questions zero EDSA Busway budget

During the budget deliberations, Akbayan Party-list Representative Percival Cendaña questioned why the EDSA Busway, Service Contracting, and Fuel Subsidy programs were given zero funding in the proposed budget. The three programs had requested PHP 1.756 billion, PHP 5 billion, and PHP 5 billion, respectively.

Cendaña pointed to the daily struggle of commuters using EDSA and questioned the decision to leave the programs without funding.

“Yung pakikibaka po na sinasabi ko, ay hindi po sya understatement. Yan po talaga ang laban ng mga commuter sa EDSA everyday para maka-pasok sa trabaho at maka-uwi sa kanilang mga mahal sa buhay. Kaya nga po ang laki ng pagtataka po natin ng masilip natin ang budget ng DOTr. Bakit po zero ang budget ng EDSA Busway [NCR Busway Project], service contracting, at fuel subsidy program?”

(The struggle I am talking about is not an understatement. This is really the daily battle of commuters on EDSA just to get to work and return home to their loved ones. That is why we were so surprised when we looked at the DOTr budget. Why is there zero budget for the EDSA Busway [NCR Busway Project], service contracting and the fuel subsidy program?”)

The DOTr said the NCR Busway has served 341 million passengers since it was established in June 2020.

DOTr Secretary Banoy Lopez

DOTr: Budget cuts not our fault

Transportation Secretary Giovanni “Banoy” Lopez said Congress could restore funding for programs left out of the proposed NEP, citing last year’s budget process as an example.

“Kami po ay nagpapasalamat sa kongreso dun sa foresight nyo. For example po, last year wala rin pong binigay sa NEP namin, ang Service Contracting ng EDSA Bus Carousel, ng PTMP [Public Transport Modernization Program], pero minabuti po ng kongreso na bigyan kami ng pondo dito sa mga ganitong programa. At ang nangyari po, because of oil crisis, yung foresight po ninyo, nagamit po naming yung Service Contracting, nagamit naming yung mga programan nilaanan nyo ng pondo. Ganito rin po ang sitwasyon naming sa EDSA Bus Carousel.”

(We thank Congress for its foresight. For example, last year, our NEP also did not include funding for the Service Contracting of the EDSA Bus Carousel and the PTMP [Public Transport Modernization Program]. Congress decided to provide funding for these programs. When the oil crisis happened, we were able to use the Service Contracting funds and the funds you allocated for these programs. We are in a similar situation with the EDSA Bus Carousel.)

He added that limited fiscal space, rather than problems with the DOTr’s budget utilization, may now be the main reason for the lower allocations.

“Kaya, kung ano man ang nakikita na sanhi kung bakit hindi kami nabigyan, ay siguro po yung limited fiscal space na lang po ng ating gobyerno. Hindi na po dahil may kakulangan ang DOTr.”

(Whatever the reason is for us not receiving the funding, it is probably the government’s limited fiscal space. It is no longer because of a deficiency on the part of the DOTr.)

Cendaña later asked Lopez if he supported restoring the 2027 allocation for the NCR Busway Project.

Lopez simply said “We are with you, Mr. Chairman, your honor.”

The proposed 2027 budget will still go through Congress, where lawmakers can adjust the allocations before the final General Appropriations Act is approved.