THE DEPARTMENT of Transportation (DOTr) signed four civil works contracts for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Program (DPTMP) during its 125th anniversary celebration held on Feb. 7 at Waterfront Insular Hotel.
During the signing ceremony, DOTr Sec. Jaime Bautista said the contract packages, which include civil works and depot terminals, are considered a benchmark for other urban road projects.
“This massive project, with a total project cost of more than P73 billion, will eclipse the highly successful EDSA Busway and create a 672-kilometer network of efficient PUV operations across metro Davao and adjacent communities,” Bautista said.
The four signed contracts are also for constructing bus terminals, depots, bus lanes, pedestrian lanes, and a driving school. The Asian Development Bank has allocated P73.4 billion for the Davao High Priority Bus System.
The civil works for the DPTMP will begin in the third quarter of 2024 and be fully operational by 2026.
The DPTMP is a 672-kilometer bus route network, serving 29 interconnected routes with 400 articulated battery electric buses and more than 500 diesel buses to provide Davao City’s expanding population and economy with a high-quality bus-based public transportation system that ensures accessibility and mobility.
After its completion, it is expected to serve 800,000 passengers daily and provide 3,000 jobs.
President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who also witnessed the event, said the signing of the last phase before the implementation of the DPTMP is a “strong reaffirmation of the government to develop Davao Region.”
In addition, he urged all government agencies to collaborate, particularly on infrastructure development after the recent flooding in Davao Region.
The design and construction of the Calinan Depot, Buhangin Depot, and driving school are all included in the Davao Bus Contract Package (CP) 01; the design and construction of the Bunawan Terminal, Calinan Terminal, Toril Depot, and Toril Intermodal Terminal are all included in CP 02; CP 03 deals with civil works along bus routes, including bus stops, bus lanes, and other pedestrian improvement works; and CP 04 deals with the design and build contract for Sasa and Sto. Niño Depot.
Also present at the ceremony were Vice President Sara Z. Duterte, Special Assistant to the President Antonio Ernesto Lagdameo Jr., Department of Budget and Management Secretary Amenah Pangandaman, DOTr Undersecretaries and Assistant Secretaries, LGU representatives, and other stakeholders.
Photo from Presidential Communications Office
