THE Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Davao named 10 routes in Digos City and Davao del Sur that will be under the Public Utility Vehicle (PUV) modernization program in Davao Region.
On May 6, 2022, LTFRB-Davao officially awarded transport cooperatives Dipatransco, Dasutransco, Mintrasco, Makibamag, Katco and RB Trans Corp a Notice of Selection that allows them to ply the routes with modernized PUVs.
Routes Zone 3 Digos City to Poblacion Malalag route and vice versa was awarded to Dipatransco with initial 10 units; Zone 3 Digos City to Tacul Magsaysay via Hagonoy and Matanao and vice versa was awarded to Dipatransco and Dasutransco with 10 units each; Zone 3 Digos City to Inawayan, Sta. Cruz and vice versa was awarded to Minstransco with nine units and Makibamag with 15 units; and Zone 3 Digos City to Upper Bala, Magsaysay Route and vice versa was awarded to Mintransco with nine units and Dasutransco with 10 units.
Aplaya, Digos City to Poblacion Bansalan via Kapatagan route was awarded to Katco with 15 units; Barangay Sinawilan Central Terminal via Super Highway Loop to RB Trans Corp with 15 units; Aplaya, Digos City Loop Service via Barangay Tres de Mayo and Barangay San Miguel to Dipatransco with 13 units; Barangay Colorado Central Terminal (New Business Center) via National Highway and vice versa to Dasutransco with 10 units; and lastly Digos City to Sta. Maria and vice versa to Mintransco with 12 units.
Under the PUV modernization program, a subsidy of P160,000 will be given to drivers and operators who wish to be part of the program. The subsidy, in turn, may be used to pay for the downpayment on the modernized units.
LTFRB-Davao said the transport cooperatives will apply for loans from funding partners Land Bank of the Philippines and the Development Bank of the Philippines to finance the modernized PUV units which cost around P2.3 million to P2.5 million each.
According to LTFRB-Davao Director Nonito Llanos III, a five percent downpayment is required for the loan with an interest of six percent.
As of the latest, LTFRB-Davao has yet to determine when these units will ply the routes in Davao del Sur and how much the fare will cost since the transport cooperatives are prioritizing first the funding of loans.
The office is also in the process of identifying other routes in Davao Region to be included in the PUV Modernization Program.