The Department of Transportation or DoTr and its attached agencies have secured the approval of the House of Representatives for its proposed  P214.296-billion budget, which was more than double the P106-billion allocation this year, to bankroll infrastructure developments in 2024.

The House of Representatives Committee on Appropriation, during a 14-hour interpellation on Monday,  moved to approve the DoTr's proposed budget for 2024, which was the fifth biggest budget among all the departments.

Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista, in a statement, reiterated that next year's budget will "ensure a comfortable, accessible, safe, sustainable and affordable transportation system" for the country.

"We bank on the support of Congress to translate our vision to reality," he said.

House Appropriations Committee Vice Chair and Valenzuela City 2nd District Rep. Eric Martinez was the lead sponsor for the 2024 DoTr proposed budget.

Cagayan de Oro City 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez moved to approve the budget, which was seconded by Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin and Rep. Martinez.

Under the proposed DoTr budget, P176.4 billion will be directed towards the Public Sector Infrastructure fund, which, in turn, will bankroll high-impact infrastructure flagship public transport projects approved by the National Economic and Development Authority Board.

The Rail Transport Program will receive over 76.4 percent of the DoTr budget to facilitate the improvement and construction of modern railway systems.

The investment will include projects such as the North-South Commuter Railway System, the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I, the LRT Line 1 Cavite Extension Project, the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Project, and the MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project.

Meanwhile, the Land Public Transportation Program will receive P6.4 billion.

The Aviation Program focuses on modernizing and developing airports nationwide with an allocation of P6.1 billion.

To improve air traffic management, P1.3 billion will be allotted to the new Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management System Development Project. It will allow air traffic controllers to communicate more effectively with the latest technology.