The head of the Senate finance committee scrutinizing the 2027 budget said he will push for the restoration of the funding for foreign assisted projects, including the Japanese funded subway and the North-South Commuter Railway, both of which have been delayed due as previous budgets did not allot counterpart funding.

''We plan to restore the slashed foreign assisted projects (funding), especially the counterpart funding,'' said Senator JV Ejercito on the TV news program Storycon. He was referring to the House version of the 2027 budget bill which the Senate will deliberate this month.

No less than President Ferdinand Marcos Jr last year found out funding for foreign assistance projects was cut for the 2026 budget.

The 33-kilometer subway project, which connects East Valenzuela to Bicutan and passes by the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, broke ground in 2019 and was supposed to be partially operational by 2028. Now completion is being eyed by 2031 as the project also faced delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and right-of-way issues.

The North South Commuter Railway is 147 kilometers, stretching from New Clark City, Tarlac to Calamba, Laguna. It is also slated to be operational by 2031.

In previous interviews, Ejercito said 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 said funding big ticket items is a sure way to stimulate economic growth.

He said the Senate, which is also hearing the impeachment trial of Vice President Sara Duterte when sessions resume on Nov 9., will do everything to pass the budget soonest to avoid the possibility of a re-enacted budget.

The budget deliberations are being scrutinized by budget watchdogs, who have been spurred due to the flood control scandal wherte at least hundreds of millions of peso were allegedly stolen. PHS