Manila: President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has mandated the release of PHP44.17 billion to expedite the Metro Manila Subway Project (MMSP) Phase I and the North-South Commuter Railway (NSCR) System. This substantial funding aims to ensure the timely progress of these critical infrastructure projects.

According to Philippines News Agency, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) received the funds following the approval of two Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) by Department of Budget and Management (DBM) Acting Secretary Rolando Toledo on March 23. The budget will address essential loan proceeds requirements, maintaining construction timelines and momentum.

The PHP44.17 billion allocation originates from the Unprogrammed Appropriations under the 2026 General Appropriations Act (GAA), specifically designated for Support to Foreign-Assisted Projects (SFAPs). The DBM highlighted that SFAPs are designed to facilitate the uninterrupted execution of infrastructure projects once financial needs are satisfied.

Out of the total amount, approximately PHP21.28 billion will be allocated to the NSCR System and MMSP Phase I, with funding from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. The remaining PHP22.88 billion will support the NSCR System through a loan agreement with the Asian Development Bank.

The completion of the MMSP and NSCR projects is expected to significantly reduce travel time, alleviate congestion on major routes, and offer safer, more efficient mobility options for millions of daily commuters. Toledo stressed the administration's dedication to transforming infrastructure investments into immediate public benefits. 'These are projects that Filipinos have waited decades for,' he stated. 'We are making sure that funding is not the bottleneck - so these projects can move faster and deliver real relief to commuters.'