PBBM vows to improve PH transport systems

INFRA PROJECT. President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (standing, center) witnesses the Philippine government and the Asian Development Bank’s ceremonial signing of loan agreement for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project at Acacia Hotel in Agdao, Davao City on Saturday (July 1, 2023). Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno (left) and ADB country director Pavit Ramachandran inked the USD1-billion loan to help establish a city-wide public transport project in Davao City, the first project in the country to deploy electric bus fleets at scale in support of the Philippines’ efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and promote climate action. (PNA photo by Joey Razon)

MANILA – President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Saturday guaranteed that his administration is committed to addressing the pressing issues hounding the country’s transportation sector.

During the ceremonial loan agreement signing for the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP) in Davao City, Marcos said the government “will remain relentless in providing solutions to the pressing challenges that hinder our path towards prosperity and progress.”

“As long as we are guided by the core of the whole-of-nation and whole-of-society approach, I am confident that our vision of a seamless, efficient, accessible and highly connected transportation system will be well within reach,” Marcos said in a speech delivered at Acacia Hotel in Agdao, Davao City.

During the event, Marcos witnessed the Philippine government and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) sign the loan agreement for the DPTMP, which aims to support the expanding economic activities of Davao City.

Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno and ADB country director Pavit Ramachandran inked the US$1 billion loan to help establish a city-wide public transport project, the first project in the country to deploy electric bus fleets at scale in support of the Philippines’ efforts to reduce greenhouse gases and promote climate action.

Marcos said now is the right time to commence the DPTMP, which he said marks another milestone “that heralds a very large leap towards realizing our goal to modernize our country’s public transportation system.”

“As it (DPTMP) opens its doors to visitors and investors, the city will be rewarded with increased business opportunities. Increased commercial activities necessarily bring more people which means more vehicles on the streets, busier roads, and hence, heavier traffic,” he said.

Marcos said the DPTMP, envisioned as early as 2010, will have an integrated network of 29 routes that will connect major commercial centers in Davao City, yielding various socio-economic opportunities for Davaoeños.

Marcos directed the Department of Transportation (DOTr) to work hard to finish the DPTMP within the set timeline and address various concerns such as funding requirements, traffic management issues, and the affected households.

While he acknowledged the positive developments that the DPTMP will bring to Davao City, Marcos stressed the need to provide assistance to those who will be affected by the implementation of the project.

“Lest we forget, coupled with this grand vision of building an efficient mode of transportation are the unavoidable issues that also need our immediate attention, such as the families who will be displaced by the implementation of the program,” Marcos said.

“But I assure everyone that this project will also include social development interventions, such as financial and non-financial assistance for those who are displaced. It will also ensure that the families affected by the construction are properly compensated and if need be, relocated,” he added.

Marcos expressed gratitude to the ADB for its unwavering support in the various projects and initiatives of the Philippine government.

“As we further our partnership, I am optimistic that we will come up and forge even more projects in the years ahead, especially those that aim to improve the lives and lessen the burden to the Filipino public,” Marcos told ADB officials.

The DPTMP is one of the big infrastructure projects under the “Build, Better, More” infrastructure program of the Marcos administration.

It will cover 672 kilometers with nine routes that connect key areas in Davao City to Panabo City, Davao Del Norte.

A total of 1,105 buses will operate along the routes. It is projected to start initial operations by 2024 and can serve around 800,000 passengers daily.