THE CITY Administrator’s Office (CAO) is still waiting for the national government’s counterpart funds to proceed with the Davao City Public Transport Modernization Project (DCPTMP).
In a radio interview on June 18, Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, CAO-Davao Bus Project manager, said the P74-billion project will be funded by various sources such as the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the national government or the Department of Transportation (DOTr), and the local government.
Domingo said the project loan covered by ADB will be 60%, with a funding counterpart of 38% from the national government, and 2% from the city.
“At present, based on the timeline gyud nga kung kanus-a maandam ang pondo nga maggikan sa national government, mga 2026 pagyud nato makita ning mga bus, that would be the earliest depending on the release and movement of the funds,” Domingo said.
Notice of Proceed contracts were given by the Department of Transportation to China International Water and Electric Corp. (CWE) for the first three packages of the bus project, and to a joint venture between China Wu Yi Co. for the fourth package.
Domingo added that to prepare jeepney operators and drivers for the transition, the city will conduct a capability-building seminar, estimating 10,000 beneficiaries, including their employees and cooperatives.
He said they have yet to prepare financial, non-financial, and educational assistance for their children, for them to cope with the said transition. They will also conduct training on financial literacy to help them manage their funds effectively.
“Kinahanglan siguraduhon nga ipasabot nato sa ilaha nganong gitagaan nato silag kwarta ug tagaan nato silag gamayng guidance dili dayon i-exhaust dayon ang kwarta,” he added.
He added that the project will need about 3,000 bus drivers with 1,000 units, with 29 bus routes divided into four tiers.
“We need to understand that our main focus when it comes to public transportation would be the passengers, their convenience, and safety as well,” he said.
