Arthur Fuentes

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr inspects the ongoing Metro Manila Subway Project at Camp Aguinaldo Station in Quezon City on July 16, 2025. Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon and Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro were also present during the event.

Jonas Sulit, PPA pool

Article (news)

Metro Manila Subway

Andrea Taguines

ABS-CBN News

MANILA — More than 40 government projects funded through concessional loans were classified as &quot;at-risk&quot;, based on the 2024 Official Development Assistance (ODA) Portfolio Review released by the Department of Economy, Planning and Development (DEPDev) on Thursday.This means that these projects, which include the Metro Manila Subway and the North-South Commuter Railway, may not be completed on time or run the risk of going beyond the initially allotted budget.The agency reported during its mid-year press chat that about 60 percent of the items on the list are infrastructure projects under the Department of Public Works and Highways and the Department of Transportation.These include:- Metro Manila Subway Project Phase I (DOTr, JICA)- North-South Commuter Railway System Project (DOTr, JICA and ADB)- Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DOTr, ADB)- EDSA Greenways (DOTr, ADB)- Metro Manila Flood Management Project Phase I (DPWH, World Bank and AIIB)- Metro Manila Priority Bridges Seismic Improvement Project (DPWH, JICA)- Cebu-Mactan Bridge and Coastal Road Construction Project (DPWH, JICA)- Cavite Industrial Area Flood Risk Management Project (DPWH, JICA)DEPDev Undersecretary Joseph Capuno said some of the recurring implementation issues that these projects face are budget and funds flow concerns, site conditions and availability, such as delays in land acquisition, right-of-way clearances, and unresolved expropriation issues, as well as procurement issues, including delays in bid preparation, failed bidding, and weak planning.But he also assured the public that the government is taking steps to address these problems.“Under this administration, we’ve been reporting the progress of all our flagship infrastructure projects to the Economic Development Council, which is chaired by the President. Every month, nagco-convene yan. If it’s a budgetary issue that lead to their critical status, andyan naman yung DBM (Department of Budget and Management),” he said.“Kung may permitting process, delays sa approvals, nandoon kami or andyan din yung ARTA (Anti-Red Tape Authority) Chair,” added Capuno.He also said that since the start of 2025, the President has also been making regional visits to help thresh out debates at the local level.“Usually, part of the problems that lead to the delays in implementation ay yung mga opposition ng mga local stakeholders, including politicians and settlers, and all that. For one reason or another, nagkakaroon ng stalemate with implementing agencies. Sometimes you need third party, higher up officials to break the impasse,” he said.The government is also banking on the passage of the amended right-of-way bill to solve other financing and coordination concerns.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G3tpQXslW4c?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div><div>TRANSPORT, CONNECTIVITY PROJECTS LEAD 2024 ODA FINANCING </div>Despite delays in the implementation of existing infrastructure projects, new loan commitments on infrastructure still drove the increase in ODA financing in 2024.According to DEPDev, the total value of the Philippines’ active ODA-funded projects grew to $39.6 billion in 2024, up by 6 percent from $37.3 billion in 2023. This is spread across 426 loans and grants.Nine of the 17 fresh loans worth $8.2 billion support the Marcos administration’s Infrastructure Flagship Projects.Among the projects that benefited from these loan commitments are the Laguna Lakeshore Road Network Project, the Dalton Pass East Alignment Road Project Phase I, new funding for the Bataan-Cavite Interlink Bridge Project and the Metro Manila Subway Project, and the Infrastructure for Safer and Resilient Schools Project.“The Philippine government has long recognized the importance of transformative investments, particularly those aimed at easing mobility constraints and advancing regional integration. Projects such as the NSCR can support and benefit present and future generations by enabling the spatial diversification of our growth engines and making our economy more resilient to shocks,” said DEPDev Secretary Arsenio Balisacan.<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y7tTImZeFtI?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>The report showed that transport and connectivity infrastructure accounted for the largest share of the 2024 ODA portfolio, both in value ($42.81 billion or 62.7 percent) and number (120 loans or grants).In 2024, the government completed six major ODA projects across different sectors. These include the DPWH’s Arterial Road Bypass Project Phase III and the Panguil Bay Bridge Project, which significantly reduced travel time in Central Luzon and Northern Mindanao, respectively, thereby improving regional connectivity.Also completed were the DPWH’s Flood Risk Management Project for the Cagayan de Oro River and the Integrated Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation Project in Pampanga which aim to strengthen flood protection systems and support local communities in building climate resilience.<div>TOP SOURCE OF ODAs</div>In terms of ODA provider, Japan remains the country’s biggest partner, with $13.23 billion in active commitments, supporting 82 loans and grants.The Asian Development Bank follows closely at $11.05 billion, then the World Bank at $8.64 billionOther key partners include the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and Korea.

This means that these projects may not be completed on time or run the risk of going beyond the initially allotted budget.

This means that these projects may not be completed on time or run the risk of going beyond the initially allotted budget.

Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway listed by DEPDev as 'at-risk'

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Metro Manila Subway, North-South Commuter Railway listed by DEPDev as 'at-risk'

Andrea Taguines,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 31, 2025 08:57 PM PHT

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Updated Aug 01, 2025 03:07 PM PHT

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ABSNews

ODA

official development assistance

Metro Manila Subway

North-South Commuter Railway

infrastructure

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