Davao City sees better traffic situation after implementation of big-ticket projects

Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte said during the State of the City Address on July 28, 2023 that the city’s big-ticket infrastructure projects – the Davao City Bus Project, the Davao City Coastal Road, and the Davao City Bypass Project – will soon alleviate the traffic jam in the city, which has been identified an issue back in 2019.

“Ang traffic gyud ang ginalikayan nato mao nang naa kita’y Bypass, Coastal and Davao Bus Project (Traffic is one of the things that we try to avoid, that is the reason why we now have the Bypass, Davao City Coastal Road, and Davao Bus Project),” the mayor said.

The city mayor thanked President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos for his support to the city, especially in the loan signing for the Davao Bus Project. On July 1, the Department of Finance and the Asian Development Bank signed a USD 1,710.8-million loan agreement for the Davao Public Transportation Modernization Project (DPTMP).

“The Davao Bus Project is an extensive network of 29 routes covering 672 kilometers of roads, with three terminals, five depots, and more than 1,000 bus stops that aim to seamlessly connect key areas in Davao City. It will employ 1,000 buses, including electric buses, and a bus driving school, and will be the first integrated bus-based urban transit network system in the country—so that will be the first,’’ the mayor said.

The city government, according to the mayor, has committed Php 1.5 billion as a sign of commitment to the implementation of the project.

He warned Dabawenyos that having mass transit spells a “painful transition” and the public should do their part to adjust to new regulations.

As to the Davao City Bypass Coastal, the mayor also expressed his thanks to former President Rodrigo Duterte.

The 8-kilometer Segment A of the project, covering the Bago Aplaya to Times Beach, was opened last July 1.

The mayor said that the big-ticket projects, along with the Davao City Bypass Project that will feature a tunnel, will surely help reduce traffic congestion and travel time.

The construction of the Davao City Bypass Project, undertaken by the DPWH and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) is ongoing. The project will link Sirawan in Toril to Barangay JP Laurel in Panabo City.

It can be recalled that transportation planning and traffic management and infrastructure are two of the priority areas of the city administration and are covered during the 1st State of the City Address of the City Mayor. A copy of the highlights of the SOCA can be accessed on the City Government of Davao’s Facebook Page. CIO