The head of the Senate committee on finance said Wednesday he is concerned over the reduced funding for foreign assistance projects, especially the two big ticket Japanese-bankrolled transportation items in the House version of the 2027 national budget.

''My worry here is there is a somewhat big reduction. There is a P40.4 billion decrease in the (budget) of the DOTr (Department of Transportation). Metro Manila Subway, P19.7 billion, and the NSCR (North South Commuter Railway), P15 billion.

'' The Government of Japan, JICA (Japan International Cooperation Agency) and the ADB (Asian Development Bank) lent us money for infrastructure projects. We should honor our obligation,'' said Ejercito.

Ejercito added that '' this has been brought to the attention of the President already and several Japanese officials have arrived here and now this (allocation) has been reduced.

The Palace said recently the Metro Manila Subway Project demo run is set to start by 2028, with full operations are earmarked at 2033. The North-South Commuter Railway, a 147-kilometer urban rail project, full operation has been set to 2033.

Ejercito said ''the more that we delay, the more that it will be expensive for us.'' ''We will have to pay commitment fees, inflation and several factors. we have to finish all these major infra projects so we can benefit, streamline economic growth. this will provide jobs so we do not have to depend on dole outs,'' he said.

''Of course, we need social programs because we have crises. There is an approaching El Nino but we should not deviate on what we need for the long term because infra development will boost our economy,'' he said. PHS