The Department of Transportation-Project Office for Davao (DOTr-Davao) said that the Davao Bus Project formerly called High Priority Bus System is still a go despite being delayed for eight months.
“On behalf of the Department of Transportation Project Office and of course the City Government of Davao which is a major stakeholder, partner, dayon ta [it will continue],” DOTr Project Evaluation Officer Richard Villanueva said in a media interview on Tuesday morning, January 28, 2025, at the Sangguniang Panlungsod.
Villanueva added that the eight-month delay is inevitable, especially with a complex project like a bus system, since several land areas need to be acquired for terminals, depots, and bus stops. He said the project is moving forward and funds are already available, but necessary documentary requirements are yet to be processed.
He explained that one reason for the delay was that the Department received approval from the National Economic and Development Authority (Neda) in 2019. They had to restudy whether the feasibility study conducted before the pandemic was still valid.
To recall, President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. witnessed the signing of a contract for the bus project on February 7, 2024, after which Neda gave the go signal for the project.
He said that upon review, they found some components that needed to be added or adjusted, such as the size of the terminal and the entitlement packages for drivers and operators.
Villanueva explained that they had to reapply and obtain another approval from Neda.
In 2023 and 2024, the national government was unable to provide funding for the project, as there was still no loan agreement in place.
DOTr said that they aim to pay all landowners in 2025 and ensure that all arrangements for their families are satisfactory. Villanueva said that there are three terminals located in Toril, Calinan, and Bunawan, as well as five depots or garages where buses can charge when not in service.
He added that they will seek assistance from a general consultant for the stakeholders of the bus project. He said this project is the first of its kind in the country, and through the consultant, they hope to launch it in 2026.
He confirmed that the department is ready, with contractors on board and social preparations underway; they just need to fully acquire the lands for the terminals and depot.
Nestor Cabada, project evaluation officer and project manager for the Davao Bus Project at DOTr, said during his presentation to the 20th City Council that, in terms of land acquisition, they are requesting the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a resettlement plan, as well as a resettlement plan for the Indigenous Peoples (IPs), which is required for them to proceed with construction.
Cabada said they are working on the detailed engineering design, which is part of the design phase, and are coordinating with other agencies for building permit applications. He emphasized that they are procuring bus fleets and implementing Intelligent Transport Systems, as well as Automated Fare Collection Systems.
Concerns about the project
Councilor Luna Acosta raised concerns about the project's delay and its potential impact on alleviating traffic congestion in the city. She questioned what actions DOTr is taking to keep the project on track, especially given the eight-month delay. DOTr assured that they are actively working on their plans to operationalize the bus project and are exploring some routes to be operational sooner.
On the other hand, Councilor Bernie Al-ag raised concerns about the fares that passengers would have to pay once the bus project is operational. It was revealed that there is a P10 difference in fare compared to jeepneys for a passenger traveling from Toril to the downtown area.
The City Government of Davao is partnering with the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to fund the Davao Bus Project. However, while ADB is prepared to provide a loan, securing funds from the national government remains a challenge.
The project includes an extensive network of 29 routes covering 672 km of roads, connecting key areas within Davao City and extending to Panabo City. At least 1,105 buses will operate along these routes, with over 1,000 bus stops to be constructed.
Initially, the bus project was reported to begin operations by the end of 2024 and be fully operational by 2025. RGP
