Manila, Sept. 3 -- Cagayan de Oro 2nd District Rep. Rufus Rodriguez is pushing for an additional PHP30 billion on top of the Department of Transportation's (DOTr) proposed PHP300.96 billion budget for 2027 to fund critical projects, including the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP).

During the House Committee on Appropriations hearing on Thursday, Rodriguez moved for the additional funding to cover projects that have remained unfunded.

He said the amount would include the local counterpart for the Mindanao Railway Project once foreign funding is secured.

"There are so many projects to be undertaken. Included there [in the PHP30 billion] will be the local counterpart for the funding they're going to get [for the Mindanao Railway Project]," ...