AS THE Davao City government gears towards the modernization of its mass transport through the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTM), the motorists and the riding public can expect a "painful transition," Davao City Mayor Sebastian Duterte said.
Duterte mentioned the DPTM, formerly known as the High Priority Bus System, as one of the city's top solutions for the looming traffic situation by providing an improved transportation system.
The bus project will cover 672 kilometers with 29 routes that connect key areas in Davao City to Panabo City, Davao del Norte. It will also have three terminals, five depots, and more than 1,000 bus stops.
On June 29, ADB approved the loan which is part of the total P80-billion budget for the project. Particularly, the $1 billion fund is 60 percent of the budget while the remaining amount will come from the Department of Transportation and the City Government of Davao.
According to ADB, the Asean Infrastructure Fund is co-financing the project with a $10-million loan under its Asean Catalytic Green Finance Facility (ACGF) and a $50-million loan from the Green Climate Fund under the ACGF's Green Recovery Program.
The DPTMP will be the first project to deploy electric bus fleets for public transportation that would reduce greenhouse gasses and promote climate action.
Duterte said that while it will be good for the city, Dabawenyos will need to adjust as it will be fully implemented.
"Gusto man jud nila makita nga committed gyud ta (They want to see that we are really committed), to improve the mass transit in Davao City," he said.
"Pero kung tan-awon ninyo mga model ba, pag-abot gani sa mass transit, like for example mga progressive kaayo na mga lugar sa kalibutan (But if you look at the model in terms of mass transit, like for example the progressive places in the world): Japan, Singapore, Hongkong," he added.
Duterte posed a question, "Andam ba mo mag-baktas? (Are you ready to walk?)".
He emphasized that some countries with a modernized mass transport system are totally discouraging their constituents from buying private vehicles and instead encouraging them to ride with other people.
"It's a painful transition. Ing-ana ra gyud na labi na nga overpopulated ta (That's what it is especially that we are overpopulated)," Duterte said.
For now, the mayor said that the city is dependent on the Davao City Bypass Coastal Road Bago Aplaya-Times Beach section, which was opened on July 1 --- the same day the ADB loan was formally signed.
Duterte admitted he did not expect that the opening of the coastal road's first stretch would bring an immediate impact on the city's traffic situation.
He added that the opening of the Davao City Bypass Tunnel and the implementation of DPTM would further decongest the city's traffic.
In 2019, when he was still the vice mayor, Duterte cited a survey wherein most Dabawenyo respondents said their main concern is traffic.
"Ang concern gyud sa tao...Traffic gyud. Wa man gud ta naanad kita mga taga-Davao, wa ta maanad, di ta ganahan na mura ta'g niadto'g Manila sa atong kaugalingong lugar (The concern of the Dabawenyos is the traffic. We, Dabawenyos, are not used to traffic, it's like we went to Manila in our own place)," the mayor said. (RGL)
