The city government of Davao is fielding 15 buses starting at 1 p.m on Tuesday, March 19, to transport stranded passengers as fewer public utility vehicles ply routes due to continuous rains brought by Tropical Depression Chedeng.
The buses, which will be stationed at City Hall area will transport passengers to Toril, Calinan, Bunawan, and Buhangin, and vice versa plus a âsweeperâ bus to ferry others outside of the identified districts.
Dionisio Abude, the chief of the City Traffic and Transportation Management Office ( CTTMO ), said the deployment of buses was decided after noticing there were fewer public utility vehicles probably due to the suspension of classes in all levels.
âBy 1 p.m., the buses will start waiting at the City Hall area to ferry passengers going to Toril, Calinan, Bunawan, and Buhangin,â Abude said.
He added for those going to areas outside of Toril, Calinan, Bunawan, and Buhangin, a âsweeperâ bus will also be deployed to ferry them home.
âOur instructions to the bus companies is that they will be around as long as there are still passengers who are stranded. We do not have an exact time as to when will the bus deployment stop,â Abude said.
Those who will wait for their rides at the City Hall grounds will also be treated to â libreng lugaw â to keep them warm.
And, Abude said, there will be bus marshalls deployed by the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to ensure the safety of the passengers.
Meanwhile, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has suspended work in all city government offices at 1 p.m. Tuesday. CIO
