Akbayan Party-list Rep. Dadah Kiram Ismula on Thursday criticized the delays in major transportation projects, saying Filipinos face a “double whammy” as commuters and taxpayers.
During the DOTr’s 2027 budget hearing, Ismula said stalled projects such as the Metro Manila Subway, EDSA Busway, and Cebu Bus Rapid Transit deprive commuters of better public transport while taxpayers pay commitment fees.
DOTr Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez confirmed that nearly all loan-funded projects have unprogrammed components due to past budget realignments.
COA data cited by Ismula showed the DOTr paid P308 million in commitment fees in 2024, while the national government incurred P3.4 billion in total fees from 2022 to the present for delayed DOTr and DPWH infrastructure projects.
Ismula urged the government to stop placing major infrastructure projects under unprogrammed appropriations, saying taxpayers should not have to pay penalties for projects that are delayed.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 4, 2026
DELAYED TRANSPORT PROJECTS LEAVE PINOYS FACING TRAFFIC, FINES — ISMULA
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