FARSIGHTED to the imminent traffic congestion of the city, Davao is implementing the first phase of its High Priority Bus System (HPBS) program. Through this project, Davao will be the first metropolitan in the south to phase out the jeepney as king of the road and replace them with the literally handsome juggernauts.
There are 24 buses for the interim phase, now plying its maiden loop from and to Catalunan Grande. It has a low-floor design and is very friendly for senior citizens, pregnant women and persons with disabilities.
Precisely, with the HPBS, we will be traveling no delay at the intersections because all buses are equipped with sensors unified to the traffic signalization system. Whenever the bus approaches the junction, in a wink of an eye, the system will shift prerogative in favor of the approaching unit, thus the name HPBS.
By 2022, this program will earmark 990 buses for 29 routes in the city currently served by about 8,000 jeepneys. Imagine how methodical the city roads will be with thousands of jeepneys interweaving the lanes today that will be reduced to only a few hundred two years from now. Wow!
This program will also generate 10,000 jobs by 2021, giving preference to operators and drivers who will be ostracized by this transport modernization program. Part of the program is to professionalize the workforce by employing about 1,000 drivers; all must be passers of the bus driving accreditation exams to be conducted by Tesda. The others will be accommodated as mechanics and given maintenance-related jobs.
The good news is that all employees will work with regular compensation plus perks. They will no longer depend on the traditional boundary system. The City is also setting aside P45 million to provide “outright cash” support for affected drivers during the transition, especially those who will not meet the age requirements or fail the Tesda certification.
HPBS is a priority project of Mayor Sara Duterte, crafted by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) with a memorandum of agreement signed between the national government and the ADB. While waiting for the national budget, the City utilizes the support funds from the Department of Transportation amounting to P200 million for the initial phase.
This is a praiseworthy project for the common good. But would this pull a wagon for general public acceptance? Probably not, especially among operators. This is a regretful tidal wave that will flush out the established sentimental implications of the assets they painfully acquired. They are undecided whether to sell or trade the outdated jeepney at salvage value. But be that as it may, operators should be proud Dabawenyos. After all, life is here.