The ceremonial signing of the civil works contracts for the Davao Transport Modernization Project (Davao Bus) on Wednesday is seen to pave the way for ease of commuting in Davao City.
The signing was led by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista during the 125th Founding Anniversary of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) at the Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao.
DPTMP is a 672-kilometer bus route network, serving 29 interconnected routes with 400 articulated battery electric buses and more than 500 diesel buses.
As part of the Davao Bus initiative, four signed contracts have been made for the construction of bus terminals, depots, bus lanes, pedestrian lanes, and a driving school.
The project aims to provide a high-quality bus-based public transportation system to ensure mobility and accessibility for Davao City’s growing population and economy.
It is also projected to serve 800,000 passengers daily upon the completion of the project and generate around 3,000 jobs.
The signing of the contracts was witnessed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Vice President Sara Duterte.
In his speech, Marcos said the project will not only move people and hardworking people around with ease but to transport their progressive city to a modern future with certainty.
“The words that describe this project – safe, reliable, and efficient – are the same traits all Filipinos aspire to see in the communities that they live in. This project is more than bringing people and their products to their destinations safe and sound,” Marcos said.
He also said that the project should be rightly viewed as a major vehicle that will bring people to a better tomorrow.
“This is more than just the ceremonial signing of the Civil Works Contracts for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project or the DPTMP. It is a strong reaffirmation of our commitment to developing the Davao Region. It is a demonstration of our resolve to deliver what people in all regions deserve: a mass transportation system that can move commuters and commerce efficiently,” the President said.
Marcos said the DPTMP is envisioned in the same mold of breaking barriers, enhancing accessibility, and boosting productivity.
The DPTMP will field 400 articulated battery electric buses and more than 500 diesel buses with 29 interconnected routes around the locality.
“So once completed, this is certainly, as they call it, a game-changer. This project will become the template for public transport systems in other cities in our country,” he said.
The President also said that as a mass transport system, the project will provide faster and more comfortable commutes whilst decongesting streets filled with private vehicles, and improve road traffic.
“As an affordable and clean mode of transport, it will neither burn a hole in the pockets of our people nor a bigger one in our ozone layer. As a catalyst for lifestyle change, it shows by example that there are feasible alternatives to commuting by private vehicles, that these can be left behind at home, without having to be late for work, for school, or for whatever you need around and about the places that you live,” he said.
The President also said that for the project to succeed, it requires the support of the local government, the informed consent of the people, and the backing of parties to help bankroll this dream.
“As to the first, I would like to express my deepest appreciation to our local leaders for fully backing this project,” he said.
