DAVAO CITY— Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Jaime Bautista, during the first Mindanao Infrastructure Summit on October 10, announced that the Davao Bus Project is in the process of implementation and will be operational by 2026.
“We are now in the process of implementing it, as far as the procurement is concerned, we have already procured four contract packages. We are hoping this project will start by early next year and will be operational by 2026,” Bautista said.
“As far as funding is concerned, the majority of the project (Davao Public Transport Modernization Project) is already funded, maliit nalang na portion ang hinihingi namin sa congress (it is just a small portion we are asking from congress),” Bautista added.
Bautista said that the additional funding is to support other functions of the project that aims to put in place a system of modern bus transportation across Davao City.
“For example, we need right-of-way, we need to acquire more land for it, that is what we’re asking congress,” Bautista explained.
The Davao Bus Project is worth P70-billion finance from a $1-billion loan from the ADB, with counterpart funding of P1.5-billion from the City Government of Davao and the remaining balance to be shouldered by the national government, thus tapping the congress. (RGA)
