The Department of Transportation has awarded a multi-billion peso contract to China companies to build a state-of-the-art bus system in Davao City, marking a major step towards modernizing public transportation in Mindanao.
The agency awarded the contract packages 1, 2 and 3 to China International Water and Electrical Corp. (CWE), while the contract package 4 was awarded to the joint venture of China Wu Yi Co. Ltd. – Fujian Construction Engineering Group Co. Ltd. – Vicente T. Lao Construction for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Program.
Contract Packages 01, 02, 03 and 04 include the design and construction of the Calinan Depot, Buhangin Depot, and Driving School; design and construction of the Toril Depot, Toril Intermodal Terminal, Bunawan Terminal, and Calinan Terminal; civil works along bus routes including bus stops, bus lanes and other pedestrian improvement works; and design and build contract for the Sasa and Sto. Niño Depot.
Worth P73.4 billion, the Davao Bus program will likewise complement the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) using modern buses compliant with PUVMP standards. The DPTMP will also use 386 electric buses and 531 regular internal combustion and 188 mini-buses.
Transportation Secretary Jaime J. Bautista signed four civil works contracts for the construction of depots, terminals, bus stops, bus lanes, pedestrian lanes, and a driving school under the DPTMP.
“We begin today the metamorphosis of public transport in the whole of Mindanao starting here in Davao City,” Bautista said.
According to him, partial operations of the DPTMP is targeted by the fourth quarter of 2025.
The Davao Bus Project will serve as benchmark for other urban road projects that aim to radically transform public transport, Bautista said.
