President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s Build Better, More Program will receive PHP1.418 trillion from the proposed PHP5.768 trillion 2024 National Expenditure Program (NEP) submitted to the House of Representatives on Wednesday by the Department of Budget and Management (DBM).

Marcos stated in his budget address to Congress that the Build Better, More Program aims to extend the country's "Golden Age of Infrastructure.

The PHP1.418 trillion allocation for the program in the 2024 budget is equivalent to 5.3 percent of the GDP and includes the Public Sector Infrastructure budgets of the Departments of Transportation (DOTr) and Public Works and Highways (DPWH), which total PHP 176.4 billion and PHP 801.2 billion, respectively.

The North-South Commuter Railway System and the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I are part of the rail Transport Program, as are the Land Public Transportation Program and the DOTr's Aviation and Maritime Infrastructure Programs.

A total of PHP40.6 billion has been set aside for the construction or improvement of public school facilities, including measures to make them more disaster-resistant, while PHP15.3 billion has been set aside for the statewide construction, repair, and/or improvement of public hospitals and health centers.

To promote peace and economic development in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation, and Unity (OPAPRU) has appropriated PHP 2.3 billion for the PAMANA or PAyapa at MAsaganang PamayaNAn Program.

This comprises PHP5 billion for social infrastructure projects such as roads and bridges (PHP4.2 billion), water supply systems (PHP 569 million), evacuation centers (PHP 176 million), fish ports (PHP35 million), and flood control (PHP10 million).

To supplement the DOTr's efforts, the DPWH allotted PHP 822.2 billion to develop, maintain, and restore roads and bridges across the country.

The Network Development Program will be funded with a total of PHP 148.1 billion, which will be utilized to create 721.656 kilometers of new roads and enlarge or enhance 647.288 kilometers of existing highways.

In addition, the DPWH's Asset Preservation Program would get PHP 115.6 billion to carry out preventative maintenance on 1,186,398 kilometers of roads and bridges.

The Bridge Program will receive PHP 45.8 billion to build 15,208 lineal meters of bridges, as well as maintenance, retrofitting, repair, rehabilitation, and widening of 525 existing bridges.

The Rail Transport Program, which aims to modernize the country's existing railway networks and develop new ones, will get more than 76.4 percent of the DOTr budget, or PHP 163.7 billion.

The North-South Commuter Railway System (PHP 76.3 billion); the Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I (PHP 68.4 billion); the LRT Line I Cavite Extension Project (PHP 4.7 billion); the Philippine National Railways South Long Haul Project (PHP 3.1 billion); and the MRT 3 Rehabilitation Project (PHP 2.9 billion) are all part of the program.

In 2024, PHP 6.4 billion will be allocated to the Land Public Transportation Program, which aims to develop and modernize public transportation in the country.

The program will fund projects such as the Davao Public Transportation Modernization Project (PHP 1 billion), the EDSA Busway Project (PHP 909 million), the Cebu Bus Rapid Transit Project (PHP 700 million), the Active Transport Bike Share System and Safe Pathway Program in Metropolitan Areas (PHP 500 million), and the EDSA Greenways Project (PHP 263 million).

Meanwhile, the DOTr's Aviation Program would get PHP 6.1 billion in 2024 to renovate and globalize the country's airports.

A total of PHP 1.3 billion will be committed to the new Communications, Navigation, and Surveillance/Air Traffic Management (CNS/ATM) System Development Project, which would improve air traffic management at airports around the country.

The construction, rehabilitation, and improvement of the following airports have also been given corresponding budget allocations: Ninoy Aquino International Airport (PHP1.6 billion); Kalibo International Airport (PHP 581 million); New Dumaguete Airport Development Project (PHP 500 million); Laoag International Airport (PHP 500 million); Tacloban Airport (PHP 500 million); Busuanga Airport (PHP 405 million); New Zamboanga International Airport (PHP 300 million); New Manila International Airport (PHP200 million); Bukidnon Airport (PHP 120 million); and New Bohol Airport Construction and Sustainable Environment Projects (PHP 97 million).

Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation's Maritime Infrastructure Program will get PHP 988 million, including PHP 625 million for the Maritime Safety Enhancement Project.

Another PHP 134 million will be allocated to Phase I of the Maritime Safety Capability Improvement Project to increase reaction capabilities in maritime events and the conduct of maritime law enforcement and security operations.

In 2024, the DPWH's Convergence and Special Support Program would receive PHP 26.6 billion to build and enhance access roads to tourist sites, airports, railway stations, seaports, trades, industries, and economic zones.

The Build Better, More Program also includes digital infrastructure projects such as the National Government Data Center Infrastructure, which has a PHP1.7 billion budget, and the National Government Portal, which has a PHP303 million budget.