Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon assured on Friday that the Davao Bus System Project or the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project will be realized and that the agency is fast-tracking the Right-Of-Way (ROW) acquisition and is eyeing to complete it this year.
Dizon said that currently, DoTr is at 60% accomplished in terms of ROW and expressed optimism that the agency can finish with the remaining 40% this year.
“Davao Bus System ng Davao City ay matutuloy in fact, aminado naman tayo na na-delay ito ng ilang taon parang mga two years, pero dahil sa utos ng Pangulo na talagang bilisan lahat ng projects at talagang binibilisan na natin ang mga ito at ngayon 60% na ang ating Right-Of-Way (ROW) acquisition from zero since nung March na nagstart tayo up to now meron na tayong nakuhang 60% sa ROW,” Dizon said in an interview during the launching of “Love Bus Libreng Sakay” in Mintal, Davao City.
The project is an integrated bus network across a 672-kilometer road system, with five depots, three terminals, a driving school, 1,074 bus stops and 380 electric buses and 720 Euro-V compliant buses operating with an intelligent transport system and an automated fare collection.
Currently, proposed bus stops are being set up in Mintal.
“Talagang pinapaspasan na natin ito at tuloy tuloy na ang construction natin. Makikita na natin ang proposed na mga bus stops,” Dizon said.
With a total project cost of P76 billion, the project is funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the national government, and the city government of Davao.
“Total project cost is about P76 billion, for the city government of Davao, counterpart mga P20 billion. The fund has always been there, kaya lang na-delay tayo sa implementation,” Dizon said.
