DAVAO CITY — A major leap in public transport modernization is underway in Davao City with the construction of the country’s first-ever bus driving school in Barangay Lacson, Calinan District, as part of the ₱73.4-billion Davao Public Transport Modernization Project.
The facility, known as the DavaoBus Driving Academy, is designed to professionalize and elevate the standards of public utility bus driving in preparation for the rollout of the upcoming DavaoBus System.
Located just a short distance from the Calinan Depot, the academy forms part of Contract Package 01 of the flagship transport project, which has been awarded to China International Water and Electric Corporation (CWE).
Training future bus drivers for a modern transport system
Once completed, the academy will serve as the central training hub for bus drivers who will operate under the modernized public transport network in Davao City. Authorities behind the project say the initiative is aimed at instilling discipline, technical competence, and road safety awareness among drivers before they are deployed on actual routes.
The establishment of a dedicated driving academy marks a significant shift in how public transport personnel are trained in the Philippines, where formalized and standardized training for bus drivers has often been limited or inconsistent.
Project planners emphasize that the academy is not just a training facility but a critical safety intervention. By ensuring that drivers undergo structured instruction and simulation-based training, the program is expected to reduce road accidents and improve passenger safety across the city.
Construction progress underway
Based on current construction updates, the DavaoBus Driving Academy building has already reached its second floor. Work is also ongoing on key components of the facility, including the plant room and designated training grounds where practical driving instruction will be conducted.
Despite being in the early stages of development, the structure is already taking shape as one of the central components of the broader transport modernization program.
Safety and modernization at the core
The Davao Public Transport Modernization Project is one of the largest infrastructure initiatives in the region, aiming to overhaul the city’s transport system into a more efficient, safe, and environmentally sustainable network.
At the heart of this transformation is the DavaoBus System, which will rely on trained, certified drivers who have undergone rigorous instruction at the academy.
Officials involved in the project say the driving school is expected to address long-standing concerns in public transport safety, particularly human error and inconsistent driving standards.
By institutionalizing driver education, the academy is seen as a long-term investment in road safety, not only for commuters but also for motorists sharing Davao City’s growing road network.
A first for the Philippines
Once operational, the DavaoBus Driving Academy will be the first facility of its kind in the country dedicated exclusively to bus driver training within a government-led transport modernization program.
It sets a precedent for other cities in the Philippines that may pursue similar reforms in the future, especially as urban centers continue to grapple with congestion, road safety challenges, and the need for more efficient public transport systems.
For Davao City, the project signals a shift toward a more structured and professionalized transport sector—one where drivers are not just operators of vehicles, but trained professionals equipped to meet the demands of a modern urban system.