MANILA, Philippines – TININTAHAN ng Philippine government at Asian Development Bank (ADB) ang $1-billion loan agreement para sa Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTM).
Nilagdaan nina Finance Secretary Benjamin Diokno at ADB Country Director for the Philippines Pavit Ramachandran ang financing deal sa Acacia Hotel sa Agdao, Davao City.
Sinaksihan ni Pangulong Ferdinand Marcos Jr. ang nasabing paglagda.
Sa naging pahayag ng Pangulo, tinuran nito na ang proyekto ay may integrated network na 29 routes, magkokonekta sa major commercial centers sa Davao, at magbubunga ng iba’t ibang socioeconomic opportunities para sa Davaoeños.
“This project aims to support the city of Davao as it progressively expands its economic activities,” ayon sa Pangulo.
Tinuran ng Pangulo na ang proyekto ay “envisioned as early as 2010.”
Para naman kay Diokno, ang DPTM ay “expected to be a model for other cities’ public transit projects.”
Nauna rito, inaprubahan ng ADB ang $1-billion loan para tustusan ang modernisasyon ng public transportation sa Davao City, “largest road-based public transport project in the Philippines to date.”
Susuportahan ng proyekto ang pagkuha ng ilang 1,100 modern buses na io-operate ng private sector sa ilalim ng performance-based contracts.
“The fleet would cut 60% of the annual greenhouse gas emissions from public transport in Davao City, the third-largest city in the country in terms of population,” ayon sa ulat.
“The project would cater to an estimated 800,000 passengers daily through 1,000 bus stops, five bus depots, and three bus terminals under an intelligent transport system that includes bus location and automatic fare collection systems,” ayon pa rin sa ulat.
Binigyang diin pa rin ni Pangulong Marcos na ang pamilya na madi-displace dahil sa implementasyon ng proyekto ay magiging “properly compensated, and if need be relocated.”
“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,” ayon sa Pangulo.
Hinikayat naman ng Pangulo ang Department of Transportation (DOTr), ang project’s implementing agency, na ma- accomplish ang DPTM sa itinakdang timeline at “ensure it affects the least number of people and activities as possible.”
Sakop ng proyekto ang 672 kilometers na may 29 routes na magkokonekta sa mga key areas sa Davao City patunging Panabo City, Davao Del Norte.
Magsisimula ang initial operations ng DPTM sa 2024.
