THE Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday sought more funding for 2026 than the amount allocated to it in the proposed national budget.

Based on the DOTr’s presentation during its budget briefing before the House Committee on Appropriations, the department had proposed to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) a budget of P531 billion for 2026, but only P197 billion was allocated under the National Expenditure Program (NEP) that the DBM turned over last month to the House of Representatives. The DOTr’s budget for 2025 was P87 billion.

Surigao del Sur 1st District Rep. Romeo Momo Sr., a committee vice chairman, asked DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez about the impact of the cut.

Lopez said that “like in our FAPs (foreign-assisted projects), once we are done disbursing our payments, our loan proceeds,” there would be a need to rely on unprogrammed appropriations “which will take time.”

“And we know that all departments, not just one, can request from, and take from unprogrammed appropriations on a first-come, first-served basis,” he said in Filipino and English.

DoTr seeks higher budget for 2026, requests P531B amid cuts

He also spoke of locally funded projects, described by Lopez as “equally important projects,” that were not included in the proposal.

“That is why we are appealing to Congress that our budget for 2026 be increased,” he said.

Momo said he would support the DOTr’s request but, mentioning the department’s obligation rates, expressed worry.

Lopez cited reforms put in place by former DOTr secretary and now Public Works Secretary Vince Dizon.

In the budget briefing, Akbayan Rep. Perci Cendaña sought an explanation for the lack of fresh funding for the fuel subsidy for 2026.

DoTr seeks higher budget for 2026, requests P531B amid cuts

Lopez said the DOTr had requested P2.5 billion for the fuel subsidy but it was not included in the NEP “because as of now, the Department of Transportation still has P2.5 billion I think in 2025” which “we can use and download to the LTFRB, DICT, and DILG. This is what we are calling the Pantawid Pasada Program.”, This news data comes from:http://lpi.771bg.com

He was referring to the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board; Department of Information and Communications Technology; and Department of the Interior and Local Government.

“We are planning to download it now... to preserve the money so that it will be obligated already,” Lopez said.

Answering a query from COOP NATCCO Rep. Felimon Espares, LTFRB Chairman Teofilo Guadiz III said in Filipino and English that the reason for the unused funding for the fuel subsidy was that “the very reasons why the fuel subsidy should be given have not yet arisen. Meaning to say, the 80 dollars per barrel, which is the triggering point for the fuel subsidy to be released and availed of by the public utility vehicle sector, has not yet been reached.”

As for the Mindanao Railway Project, the DOTr had requested P5.4 billion.