THE CONSTRUCTION of depots and terminals for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project, or the Davao Bus Project, is anticipated to begin this year, the Department of Transportation (DOTr)announced on Wednesdaym, March 18.
During the Habi at Kape forum, Richard Villanueva, DOTr deputy project manager, said three terminals will be built in Bunawan for passengers coming from Davao Del Norte and Davao de Oro.
Villanueva said all bus passengers will have to disembark at the Bunawan terminal and then transfer to Davao buses.
Meanwhile, those coming from Gensan, Cotabato, and Digos will disembark at the Toril terminal.
Another terminal in Calinan will cater to those coming from Cagayan de Oro and Bukidnon.
“We are still in the land acquisition process, but for Calinan, we can already start because we will be beginning construction by this year for our depots and even the terminal,” he stressed.
According to the agency’s project timeline, operation is expected in the third or fourth quarter of 2027. The full implementation of the bus system is expected in late 2028 or early 2029, but he said it can start “already by next year.”
Villanueva added that the long-delayed project will operate in phases, with the first one identified as the south routes.
“We were able to complete the acquisition of terminals and depots on that side, beginning from Calinan to the central business district,” he said.
According to DoTr, the bus-based transportation system will have a core service lane connecting major commercial centers, nine feeder routes, eight routes to inner urban areas, and links between outer rural areas, and terminals in Davao City, Panabo City, and Davao del Norte.
The 672-kilometer DPTMP is similar to the Edsa busway, a rapid transit system separated from normal road traffic in most of its stretch by concrete barriers on the innermost lane.
Funded by the Asian Development Bank, amounting to P73.4 billion, the Davao Bus will complement the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP), utilizing modern buses compliant with PUVMP standards. It will also utilize 386 electric buses, 531 regular buses, and 188 mini-buses.
It can be noted that the Davao City Council approved on December 2, 2025, the measure creating a Trust Fund, which serves as a counterpart of the local government for the Davao Bus Project.
The DOTr has allocated approximately P2 billion for the Davao Bus Project in 2026, significantly lower than the P14-P17 billion.
Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, assistant city administrator and Davao Bus Project manager, revealed the city’s counterpart amounts to P1.5 billion.
The trust fund will ensure that the city is prepared once the project is implemented and will avoid financing problems.
