MANILA – The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ramped up the release of funds for several infrastructure projects, disbursing over PHP43 billion as of June for priority transport projects under the "Build Better More" program of the Marcos administration.
In a statement Wednesday, the DOTr said the total disbursed amount is about 56 percent of “existing obligations/contracts” and is in line with the monthly disbursement of the agency.
“Further disbursements are expected for the second semester due to anticipated award of remaining segments of railways projects as well as other transport infrastructures,” it said.
Earlier, Department of Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno directed government agencies to come up with a catch-up plan as spending fell below the government's target in the first semester of the year.
He identified the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the DOTr as among the "slowest" in spending.
Meanwhile, according to the Department of Budget and Management’s 2023 Status of Notices of Cash Allocations as of June 30, the DOTr is the top seventh agency in government disbursements.
“The DOTr commits to further streamline its processes, and work closely with other government agencies and contractors to ensure timely completion of portions of projects scheduled this year,” it said. (PNA)
