ONE of the much-discussed issues in Davao City in 2019 was the worsening traffic situation around town.
With so many people migrating to Davao for new opportunities and more people being able to afford their private vehicles, the streets of Davao are becoming more crowded. Coupled with this are the road works and endless traffic violations by many drivers. Not a day went by where no Dabawenyos comment on how bad the traffic was as compared to previous years.
Therefore, it was not surprising that many Dabawenyos were happy to see the nearly carless roads of the city on January 1. Photos were being shared on social media of streets without heavy traffic.
SunStar Davao also posted a photo of the intersection at Quimpo Boulevard near the bus terminal. The photo, taken at around 5 p.m., showed an intersection with only a handful of vehicles. This intersection would usually experience moderate to heavy traffic at this hour on ordinary days.
Many shared and commented on how they want Davao City to look like this every day.
As much as we want Davao City’s traffic to be light as it can be, it is a sad reality that we have to face -- the traffic is a trade-off of the rapid development the city is facing.
Despite this sad reality, it is good to note that something can be done about it and the city government is already working on it the best it can.
One of the things the city is working on right now is the implementation of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS), which is envisioned to improve the traffic situation in the city. Davao City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio, during her State of the City Address in October 2019, said the city is committed to implementing the bus system within her term or at least lay down the foundations for its implementation.
Assistant City Administrator Tristan Dwight Domingo, in an interview with SunStar Davao in December 2019, said the city will implement the initial phase of the HPBS within the first half of 2020.
The much-awaited bus system, which has been in the works since the time of then Davao City mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte, will reduce the current 120 public utility jeepney (PUJ) routes to 29 bus routes. It will replace some 7,000 PUJs in the city with some 1,000 buses.
A portion of the funds that have been raised for the project will go to the social assistance for the affected PUJ drivers. Assistance will include the compensation and various training of the affected operators and drivers, which include education and livelihood.
Many Dabawenyos are excited about this project and it is our hope in 2020 that the city government is sticking with the schedule and gives what the Dabawenyos need.
It is also good to note that the city government and the Department of Public Works and Highways are working to create alternative routes for the city. Bypass roads are being constructed here and there. These will allow those driving within the city to avoid unnecessary traffic.
Among the notable projects under the helm of DPWH right now are the Davao Expressway and the soon to be completed Davao City Coastal Bypass Road Project.
The pay parking scheme is also a welcome development. However, we hope the government can push for the establishment of parking facilities.
When these projects are fully realized, we hope that the roads of Davao City will be a better place to drive along.
However, while we look forward to these projects, we hope drivers can also be more disciplined when driving. Agencies that regulate and look over the traffic of the city have mentioned multiple times that one of the leading causes of the traffic in the city is drivers who fail to follow simple traffic rules.
We hope that in 2020 the roads of Davao City will be much better as compared to 2019.