Note: This story was originally published on June 24, 2024, and has been reuploaded due to a technical issue with its initial online publication.
For part 1:
TRAFFIC congestion is a shared challenge among every resident in Davao City, which is recognized as the primary hub of commerce and education in Mindanao. Many Mindanawons migrate to the city not only to search for better and high-paying jobs but also to pursue educational opportunities.
This influx not only increases Davao's population but also raises the volume of commuters and travelers during rush hours, leading to more congested traffic.
Numerous Dabawenyos have expressed concerns about the worsening traffic conditions in Davao City, prompting both the local government unit and national agencies to seek solutions to improve commuting and driving experiences on the city's main thoroughfares.
Means to reduce traffic congestion
In response to the clamor for a better traffic system, the local government unit (LGU) of Davao City installed the Peak Hours Augmentation Bus System (PHABS) in 2019 to assist stranded passengers in key critical areas during peak hours, offering temporary relief for the city's traffic congestion issues.
The buses operate on designated routes from 6:30 to 9 a.m. and 5 to 9 p.m. Four bus companies have committed to the PHABS initiative: Golden Valley, Metro Shuttle Bus, Bachelor Express, and Land Car Incorporated (LIC).
There have also been discussions about implementing a number coding scheme in the city, similar to the one used in Metro Manila. Under this scheme, vehicles are restricted from traveling on the streets during designated hours based on the last digit of their license plates.
Dionisio Abude, chief of the City Transport and Traffic Management Office (CTTMO), informed VoxPop Davao that while this scheme has been effective in other areas, some vehicle owners would opt to purchase additional vehicles with different plates to bypass the restrictions, potentially increasing overall the number of vehicles on the roads.
Meanwhile, the national government has initiated several infrastructure projects, such as the Davao City Coastal Bypass Road. This project includes the construction of a four-lane, 10mm thick asphalt pavement with anti-rutting additive (ARA), a bicycle lane, as well as curb, gutter, and sidewalk construction.
During the inauguration of the project's first segment on July 1, 2023, Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Secretary Manuel Bonoan highlighted its importance in alleviating traffic congestion in Davao City, stating, “This is a crucial project aimed at addressing traffic problems in Davao City.”
Another funded project by the national government is the Ulas Bypass Road, spanning 2.6 kilometers, which is part of the Davao City Diversion Road Extension Project extending to Toril, Bangkal-Talomo-Puan section. This road aims to reduce congestion in the southern part of the city.
Furthermore, there is the Davao Bus Project, which aims to provide Dabawenyos with new, comfortable buses equipped with air conditioning, CCTV, GPS, wifi connection, automated fare collection, and an intelligent transportation system (ITS) for efficient operations. The project, which is the national government’s Transportation Modernization Project’s local counterpart, aims to establish an extensive network of 29 routes covering 672 kilometers (km) of roads, connecting key areas within Davao City and extending to Panabo City. Over 1,105 buses will operate along these routes, with more than 1,000 bus stops to be constructed.
However, Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, project manager and assistant city administrator, emphasized that while the Davao Bus Project is a significant step, it alone cannot solve the city’s traffic issues. He noted that privately owned vehicles account for 80 percent of road traffic.
Major hiccups in the infrastructure projects
Although the national government, including the LGU, has initiated projects to address the worsening traffic situation, there are still multiple challenges facing these projects, such as budgetary issues and Road Right of Way (RROW) problems.
Dean Ortiz, spokesperson for DPWH-Davao, said during the 11th regular session of the 20th City Council on March 22, 2024, that the delay in constructing the second segment of the Davao City Coastal Road and the viaduct project in Ulas is due to RROW issues.
Ortiz explained that the Davao City Coastal Road, spanning approximately 17.78 (km), has completed 13.27 km, achieving a 74.63 percent completion rate. He noted that the ongoing construction involves the remaining 1.76 km and two bridges, but progress has been hindered by RROW issues, particularly at the entrance via Roxas Avenue.
Regarding the viaduct project in Ulas connecting Davao to Bukidnon, designed as an alternative route for drivers heading to the coastal road, Ortiz clarified that the reconstruction of the concrete pavement on the bypass road viaduct is fully suspended due to RROW issues. Issues such as land claims, Davao Light and Power Company posts and cables, and telecommunication facilities could further impede construction progress if not addressed.
The implementation of the Davao Bus Project was delayed due to budgetary constraints and project timelines. Initially scheduled to commence operations by the end of 2024 and achieve full operation by 2025, it has been further postponed to the last quarter of 2026.
Domingo mentioned that while the Asian Development Bank (ADB) is ready to provide a loan, securing funds from the national government remains a challenge.
“More or less ang pondo ani nga P74 billion na kinahanglanon 60 percent naa nag-gikan sa Asian Development Fund, baylo na siya sa lima or unom ka tuig depende unsa ka daghan sa gastuson (The project requires approximately P74 billion, with 60 percent expected to come from the Asian Development Fund. This loan will be repayable over five to six years, depending on expenditures),” he said during a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on June 18, 2024.
The total projected cost of the Davao Bus Project is P73.4 billion, with over P52 billion funded through an ADB loan, and the remaining 38 percent of the project cost to be covered by the national government. The city government has committed to allocating at least P1.5 billion as part of its contribution.
LGU’s intervention
Davao City Mayor Sebastian “Baste” Duterte, during the Pasiugdang Pagsaulog on March 1, 2024, asked Dabawenyos to be patient with the city's traffic situation. He emphasized that the city is still developing and, unlike progressive cities, it has a long way to go.
With the city’s booming economy, more people are expected to migrate here. The city alone cannot improve its transportation system resulting in traffic decongestion, with its “very limited” resources. It needs the national government’s support in infrastructure.
“Kinahanglan mo-invest ang national government ana kay dili man na kaya sa atoang kwarta kay dako man kaayo na, mutukod na ug monorail, train ba diha or expressway or unsa ba na diha, di man makaya sa kwarta so maghuwat ta nga tagaan tas national government (The national government should invest in infrastructure projects because the city’s money cannot fund those projects, like building a monorail, train or expressway or any infrastructure, so we have to wait for the national government to provide the necessary finances),” he said.
Following his speech, Duterte released a statement on his Facebook page on March 6, 2024, urging DPWH and its contractors to coordinate with the City Transport and Traffic Management Board (CTTMB) and obtain necessary permits before initiating any road projects that could have a significant impact on the city’s major thoroughfares, which could result in heavy traffic.
He observed that some well-maintained roads are being excavated and damaged, while numerous road construction projects remain incomplete, causing inconvenience, traffic congestion, and safety risks to the public.
Echoing the mayor's sentiments, the 20th City Council voiced their road-related grievances to DPWH during the 10th regular session on March 19, 2024. Councilor Temujin “Tek” Ocampo expressed frustration over traffic congestion near the construction site of a flyover in Maa.
Councilor Conrado Baloran reported that during the Araw ng Lamanan, Mayor Duterte observed excavations on roads in Mintal-Tugbok, causing traffic despite the roads being in good condition. He stressed the need for proper road closure procedures to prevent such incidents.
On March 22, 2024, the regional office of DPWH reported the reasons behind the delay in road construction and the destruction of roads. Ortiz said that there are approximately 31 projects totaling P4.12 billion in Davao City, some of which are suspended due to RROW issues. Among these projects, six are under the third legislative district, 13 under the second district, and 12 under the first district.
Standing firm on his stance, Duterte posted another statement on June 1, 2024, stressing that DPWH should prioritize repairing damaged roads and constructing new ones rather than destroying roads, that are still in good condition. He criticized the department’s practices, stating that these have led to traffic congestion and compromised the safety and security of Davao's residents.
Not only an infrastructure problem
Abude mentioned that there are multiple reasons why Davao City is experiencing traffic congestion. He highlighted that most of the congestion occurs during peak hours, which is when workers and students typically travel to their destinations, leading to severe congestion on Davao's roads.
Personally, Abude suggested that schools should reintroduce school buses for their students, emphasizing that these vehicles could pick up students, thereby reducing the number of vehicles heading to schools.
“Imagine ug 30 ka studyante, 30 na sakyanan na muadto didto sa skwelahan sa kung tan-awon sa personal nga opinyon kay sa akoang nakita (Imagine if there are 30 students, that would mean 30 vehicles going to schools based on my personal opinion and observation),” he said.
Another observation by the Chief of CTTMO is that the government is not phasing out old transportation models which adds to the number of vehicles plying the city’s roads. Abude stressed that no matter how much the city expands its roads, it will never be sufficient to alleviate traffic congestion. He said that the best approach his office can take is to determine the average number of commuters in each barangay to regulate the number of units granted franchises.
Regarding large events that attract crowds, Abude drew from their experience during the Pasko Fiesta, where many Dabawenyos encountered traffic issues. He suggested that events involving large numbers of people should be held in enclosed venues. If held outdoors, they should avoid major thoroughfares in the city.
He noted that while the government has constructed several projects and implemented measures to mitigate its effects, ongoing infrastructural developments will not be effective unless Dabawenyos adhere to traffic rules. Abude highlighted behaviors such as loading and unloading in unauthorized areas, jaywalking, and illegal parking as examples of traffic violations that add to traffic congestion.
Limited modes of transportation
In the Philippines, there are multiple modes of transportation available. These include jeepneys, buses, taxis, and motorcycles, all facilitating commuters' journeys from one place to another. Filipinos also have door-to-door services with tricycles, trisikads, and a new addition to the list, e-trikes.
Abude emphasized that Filipinos will inevitably use these various modes of transportation. Therefore, it is necessary to choose one and discontinue using others, especially since some vehicles travel on national roads where they are not permitted.
He added that with the soon implementation of the Davao Bus Project, Dabawenyos will need to be prepared to walk more, as buses will only stop at designated bus stops, not at individual doorsteps.
Another solution proposed by the CTTMO chief is to increase penalties for drivers who violate traffic rules. He explained that higher penalties would deter drivers from parking in inappropriate places or improperly using the national roads.
The CTTMO chief stressed studying transportation models used abroad, where they typically use only three modes — bus, train, and taxi.
Traffic congestion and the challenges faced by daily commuters and motorists have been topics of concern among Dabawenyos for several years. While reasons behind traffic congestion and solutions proposed by authorities have been discussed publicly, effective cooperation between the government and Dabawenyos is crucial to resolving this city-wide issue. Otherwise, traffic problems will persist and continue to impact every Dabawenyo. RGP
