DAVAO City Assistant Administrator Tristan Dwight Domingo said that buses deployed for Libreng Sakay sa Kadayawan buses are not persons with disability (PWD)-friendly.
During the weekly I-Speak forum at the City Engineering and Building Office conference room last August 16, Domingo said that the bus’ design is not actually suitable to PWDs, pregnant women and senior citizens.
“Dili siya ordinary bus na provincial buses, it’s low floor or low entry na mga bus (It is not an ordinary bus because it is low floor or low entry),” Domingo said, adding that it is one reason why it is not suitable for commuters with special needs.
Domingo said that Island City Express, Inc. only sponsored the buses especially for the weeklong celebration of Kadayawan and it will not be used for the implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS).
“During discussions kung unsay mga sponsorship packages, nahunahunaan nila na magbutang nalang ug bus, maghatud padulong sa mga venues like sa People’s park, Magsaysay Park, basta venue sa Kadayawan apil ang malls (During discussions on sponsorship packages, the Island City Express Inc. thought about putting buses that will help commuters go to any venue of Kadayawan activities like People’s Park and Magsaysay Park including malls),” Domingo said.
“These buses are not exactly the same with what was planned for HPBS, naa lang (there are) similarities,” he added.
At least four buses were deployed on Tuesday, August 14, for the Libreng Sakay sa Kadayawan which will run until August 28 to provide convenient transportation to Kadayawan Festival revelers.