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Construction of depots, terminals to start this year as Davao Bus Project fast-tracked

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

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. 

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Comprehensive Traffic Management Plan needed to ease Davao Traffic — MAP

by Contributor
written by Contributor

THE MINDANAO Alliance for Progress (MAP) urged Davao City officials to present a comprehensive traffic management plan to address Davaoeños’ growing concerns over the city’s worsening traffic situation.

The city, which recently topped Tomtom Traffic Index as the most traffic-congested city in the country and 4th in Asia, is seen to continue to experience traffic congestion as a byproduct of urban growth.

In an interview with Radyo Pilipinas, MAP coordinator Mayet Valdez said that while the problem is not as bad as it is being reported in the national media, traffic in the city does need to be addressed to prevent it from worsening.

“Traffic is a growing problem that we need to address. It is also an indicator of a growing city. I believe that the local government is doing its part, but it’s not something that can be immediately addressed,” Valdez said.

She said the solution is not as simple as adding more roads, tunnels, and bridges because while these can help address the problem, they cannot be built overnight.

The bus transit system that the city is testing out is already getting good reviews and can help ease the problem, especially if there are already designated bus lanes and a sufficient number of buses.

Valdez suggested implementing a comprehensive traffic management policy to address the traffic problem.

“There is a need to implement a comprehensive system and clearly communicate the full traffic management plan to the public to help them understand,” she said.

“If we start communicating to our people that there is a bigger plan and not just focus on a single project, then people can make better decisions and adapt to changes,” she added.

Number coding is one of the possible measures suggested to regulate private vehicles. However, Valdez said this is not a complete solution, as those who can afford it can simply buy more cars to avoid coding.

More than coding, she suggested stronger policies and efficient systems, like ensuring traffic lights are functioning properly, maintaining clean and obstruction-free roads, and improving coordination between pedestrian lanes and traffic signals.

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DC Bus exec reports strong turnout

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE DAVAO Bus Project reported a strong turnout during its inaugural operation on Friday, Dec 5.

“As expected, dagsa gyud atong pasahero, aside sa excitement sa mga tao nga mosakay sa bus, but more than that dako gyud ang panginahanglan,” Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, Davao Bus Project manager said during Madayaw Davao on Friday.

Domingo said there were no challenges for the first hour of operation on Friday because they decided to hold several dry-run activities.

“The drivers and the CSUs are familiar sa mga bantayonon kung naay mosakay, monaog. Sakto gyud atong pag andam before ta nag fully operate,” Domingo added.

The DC Bus routes are as follows:

  • R102 – Toril–GE Torres (Sandawa)
  • R103 – Toril–Roxas
  • R402 – Mintal–GE Torres
  • R403 – Mintal–Roxas
  • R503 – Bangkal–Roxas
  • R603 – Buhangin–Roxas (2 buses)
  • R763 – Panacan (via Buhangin)–Roxas
  • R783 – Panacan (via Angliongto)–Roxas
  • R793 – Panacan (via R. Castillo)–Roxas

Domingo said two buses are assigned to the route Buhangin–Roxas due to the volume of passengers on this route.

“If we wanted to service the areas that we wanted, we will have to wait for the DPTMP,” he stressed, considering the comments of the residents to extend the bus to farther routes.

The buses will offer free rides to commuters during peak hours from 6–10 a.m. and 4–9 p.m.

Domingo, however, said the buses might operate beyond the scheduled hours in the Christmas season if the need arises. 

The 10 low-floor buses can accommodate up to 90 passengers, 46 seats for regular passengers, 2 seats for PWD, and 15 standing passengers.

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City govt to create trust fund for Davao Bus Project

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THE CITY government is eyeing to create a trust fund for the Davao Bus Project, an official confirmed on Tuesday. 

Assistant City Administrator and Davao Bus Project manager Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo said this is to cover the local counterpart for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project. 

“The trust fund will be dedicated to cover the city’s P1.5-billion counterpart for the P73.4-billion Davao Public Transport Modernization Project,” Domingo told reporters. 

The trust fund also reflected the city’s commitment to the project. 

There will be an annual budget that will increase gradually and will be deposited in this trust fund to reach P1.5 billion. 

“The trust fund is exclusively for the Davao Bus Project. Hopefully, even more by next year and contribute little by little until we reach the P1.5-billion target by 2030,” he said.

Domingo said this will be sourced from local revenues as the city is now generating over P4 billion annually. 

“This is a multi-year undertaking for the city. Our proposed strategy is to allocate specific amounts each year into the trust fund, based on the project’s evolving financial needs,” he stressed. 

Domingo stressed that the allocation will ensure that the city is prepared once the project is implemented and will avoid financing problems. 

“The fund will be removed from the general fund and put in a special account. So we’ll go to DBM, we’ll open a new account, and we’ll put it there,” he said, noting the creation will require a city ordinance. 

The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has allocated approximately P2 billion for the Davao Bus Project in 2026, significantly lower than the P14 to P17 billion. 

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No specific date for the operation of 10 DC buses

by Nova Mae Francas
written by Nova Mae Francas

THERE IS no specific date yet for the operation of ten new 12-meter, low-floor modern bus units pending necessary documentary requirements, an official of Davao Bus Project said Tuesday.

Initially, the city planned to roll out the buses in mid-November. 

However, the office emphasized they are fast-tracking the necessary documents to ensure the safety of passengers.

In an interview with Davao City Disaster Radio, Atty Tristan Dwight Domingo, Davao Bus Project manager, said the 22 drivers trained to run the buses are yet to be “fully onboard.”

“Wala pa mapa onboard ang 22 ka drivers. Ang pinaka-onboarding lang nila is nakita nila ang bus, na familiarize sa pindoton, amenities, rampa,” Domingo said.

But in terms of actually driving it on the road, they have yet to start, as the office continues to secure their registration and insurance before they can operate.

“Modagan sya is in the service of a lot of people, so we need to ensure that our units are also insured,” he added.

Also, the 22 drivers still need to pass a rigorous assessment.

“As soon as they are able to pass the assessment, that will be the day they will be confident enough to certify that they are worthy to service the passengers,” he said.

Aside from training the drivers, the city will also onboard the administrators of the fleet management system.

While the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) already provided authority, there are certain requirements the city must submit to the regional office.

Domingo said the documentary requirements are set to be completed this week, as the drivers’ and guards’ training requested by LTFRB was completed last week.

The target routes for the DC Bus are nine routes so that every resident can utilize the buses, considering the peak hours and volume of passengers.

Routes include Toril, Mintal, Buhangin, Milan, and Sasa, while a full list will be published following the completion of requirements from the LTFRB.

The free bus service will focus on peak hours, specifically from 6 a.m. to around 9:30 a.m. and from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.

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