Davao City — The Davao City Government has confirmed that only ₱2 billion has been allotted for the Davao Bus Project in the 2026 national budget proposal — a figure drastically lower than the ₱14 billion to ₱17 billion originally requested to sustain the project’s implementation.
Councilor Danilo “Danny” Dayanghirang disclosed in an interview that he plans to question the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on how the agency intends to push through with the project given the limited allocation.
Assistant City Administrator and Project Manager Atty. Dwight Domingo said the amount is “not enough for full implementation” but expressed optimism that additional funds could still be secured through congressional budget insertions.
“Hopefully, our leaders in Congress will recognize that this project can be a model for the entire country,” Domingo said during an interview on Davao City Disaster Radio on October 27. “The city government cannot shoulder the project alone because of the massive cost involved.”
Despite the funding shortfall, the DOTr assured that the project remains on track. Road right-of-way (RROW) acquisition is ongoing, with around 60 percent of the required land already secured, according to former Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon. The agency maintains its target to start operations by 2027.
The Davao Bus Project, with an estimated total cost of ₱76 billion, is a flagship infrastructure initiative aimed at modernizing urban transport in the city. The system will feature a 672-kilometer integrated bus network with 1,100 units, five depots, three terminals, and an automated fare collection system.
Co-financed by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the national government, and the City Government of Davao, the project is envisioned as the Philippines’ first modern, citywide bus rapid transit (BRT) model — expected to serve as a blueprint for other metropolitan transport systems nationwide.
However, with only a fraction of the requested funds approved for 2026, local officials warn that the project’s construction and procurement phases could face significant delays unless additional support is secured.
“This project is not just for Davao,” Dayanghirang stressed. “It represents the future of sustainable and efficient public transport for the entire country.”