President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has ordered the release of PHP44.17 billion to fast-track the implementation of the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase I and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System, the country’s most transformative transport projects,
Acting on the President’s directive to deliver faster, more reliable public transportation, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) released the funds to the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to cover critical loan proceeds requirements—ensuring that construction timelines remain on track and momentum is sustained.
The funding was authorized through two Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) approved by DBM Secretary Rolando “Rolly” U. Toledo on March 23, 2026.
“These are projects that Filipinos have waited decades for. Sa utos ng Pangulo, hindi na puwedeng maantala pa. We are making sure that funding is not the bottleneck—so these projects can move faster and deliver real relief to commuters,” Secretary Toledo said.
Once completed, the MMSP and NSCR are expected to dramatically cut travel time, decongest major corridors, and provide safer, more efficient mobility for millions of daily commuters—transforming how people move across Metro Manila and nearby provinces.
The PHP44.17 billion release is charged against the Unprogrammed Appropriations under the Fiscal Year 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), specifically for Support to Foreign-Assisted Projects (SFAPs)—a mechanism that ensures critical infrastructure projects continue without delay once financing requirements are met.
Of the total amount, PHP21.28 billion will fund the NSCR System and MMSP Phase I financed through the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), while PHP22.88 billion will support the NSCR System under its loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank (ADB).
Secretary Toledo emphasized that the release underscores the administration’s commitment to turn infrastructure investments into immediate, tangible benefits for the public.
“Every peso we release for infrastructure is an investment in time saved, opportunities created, at ginhawa sa araw-araw ng ating mga kababayan. Hindi lang ito proyekto—ito ay solusyon sa hirap ng biyahe ng milyon-milyong Pilipino,” he added.
With sustained funding support, the DBM reaffirmed its commitment to ensure that high-impact infrastructure projects are implemented without delay—turning the national budget into concrete improvements in the lives of Filipinos.
