- City Council appropriates ₱200- million for new units
By Ivy Tejano
DAVAO CITY – The City Government of Davao plans to buy 20 more electric buses for the city’s Public Transport Modernization Project a major initiative to create a modern, efficient, and sustainable bus system in Davao City.
The pioneering project aims to replace the dilapidated passenger jeepney units with electric and fuel-efficient buses which had been dubbed as rolling coffins. City Mayor Sebastian Duterte ordered the expansion of the DC Bus fleet to address the need for efficient and modern buses especially during rush hours. It is the first of its kind in the country.
The Davao City government had initially procured 10 units of low-bed buses from China manufacturers of Yutong brand. Yutong passenger buses are popularly used in various countries in Europe, the United States and other Asian countries.
Included in the transport modernization project are infrastructure like bus stops in strategic places in the city, depots, and an electronic monitoring apparatus that monitors the movement snd locations of the buses.
In totallity the entire the budget transport modernization project is estimated to be around PHP 73.4 billion. Once completed the modern transport system will improve urban mobility, reduce pollution, provide a safer and comfortable ride for the city’s nearly 2 million residents.
Funding for the additional 20 EV buses is covered by Supplemental Budget No. 1 for fiscal year 2026. The Davao City Council approved on second reading the proposed P1.25-billion Supplemental Budget No. 1 during its regular session on Tuesday, May 26.
Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations chairperson Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang had earlier disclosed the acquisition of additional buses during the Pulong-Pulong sa Dabawenyos last May 26.
Dayanghirang bared that P200 million has been allocated for the procurement of additional buses under the City Administrator’s Office social development fund. The proposed supplemental budget, was suubmitted by the Mayor’s office last May 18 and was referred to the committee
He said the city plans to digitize the interim bus system by developing a platform that will provide real-time bus locations to commuters, reducing waiting time, security and improving travel efficiency.
“Our population is now about two million for which reason I think the mayor decided to purchase an additional 20 buses to transport commuters in traveling from one place to another,” Dayanghirang said.
He clarified that the P200-million allocation is an estimated amount and that the procurement will still undergo public bidding. The digitalization monitoring component of the bus operations will also be sourced from the same fund.
Dayanghirang added that the city government will establish of its own electric charging centers for the buses in strategic places.
Under the development fund of the City Engineer’s Office, P54.7 million has also been allocated for the construction of a Bus Service depot somewhere near the Davao City Coastal Road.
Dayanghirang said that the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations recommended the approval of the proposed supplemental budget amounting to P1,253,541,058.86.
He said the supplemental budget prioritizes immediate city needs, including social services and infrastructure projects.
Aldo included in the top priorities under the SB1 is the procurement of a truck capable of towing 10-wheeler trucks that are illegally parked .
