Davao City, Philippines — November 28, 2025
Davao City has officially taken a historic step toward modernizing public transportation with the launch of the Davao City Interim Bus Service (DIBS)—the first system of its kind in Mindanao—featuring ten brand-new, low-floor buses introduced during a ceremony at Rizal Park on November 27.
The new buses—equipped with PWD access ramps, bicycle racks, CCTV cameras, and automated passenger counters—were displayed at the City Hall Grounds and will start operations on December 5, offering free rides to commuters during the opening phase.
“This is part of our commitment to provide a safer, more reliable, and more comfortable transport system for our people,” said Davao Bus Project Manager Atty. Tristan Dwight Domingo, highlighting the city’s push to improve mobility during daily rush hours.
A major step forward for commuters
Beginning December 5, the DIBS buses will operate Monday to Saturday, focusing on peak travel hours: 6:00–10:00 AM and 4:00–9:00 PM. The system will cover 124 bus stops across key northbound and southbound corridors.
Southbound Routes
- Toril–Guillermo Torres / Sandawa
- Toril–Roxas
- Mintal–Sandawa
- Mintal–Roxas
- Bangkal–Roxas
Northbound Routes
- Buhangin–Roxas
- Multiple Panacan routes via Angliongto and R. Castillo
City officials describe the launch as the beginning of a broader overhaul under the Davao City Public Transport Modernization Project (DCTMP), which aims to streamline routes, ease congestion, and introduce more efficient public transport options.
Critics warn of displacement, higher costs
Despite the excitement surrounding the launch, the project has drawn strong opposition from transport advocates.
On November 24, Anakbayan Southern Mindanao (SMR) held a protest at Freedom Park, denouncing the Davao Bus Project as “anti-people” and warning that it could displace around 7,000 PUV drivers once jeepneys are phased out.
Anakbayan SMR Chairperson Fauzhea Guiani argued that the project will burden commuters through a projected ₱35 minimum fare, and criticized the ₱10 million cost of each modern bus, calling it a misguided use of public funds.
“Dakong hasol ug pabug-at sa katawhan! Mamahimong palas-anon sa mga drayber ug komyuter ang Davao Bus Project,” Guiani said, stressing that thousands of drivers stand to lose their livelihood.
Guiani also labeled the trial runs conducted in October as a form of “mind-conditioning”, pressuring the public to accept a transport system that she said caters more to corporate interests than to ordinary citizens.
She further argued that jeepneys are not the root cause of congestion, pointing instead to the unregulated rise of private vehicles, and proposed:
- rehabilitating existing jeepneys, and
- restoring the 5-year franchise validity for small operators.
“Dili kita babag sa modernisasyon,” Guiani clarified, “apan dili pud ta mosugot kung kini alang ra sa interes sa mga kapitalista.”
A city debating its future
The unveiling of the Davao City Interim Bus Service marks a bold shift in Mindanao’s urban transport landscape. Supporters see it as a step toward a more efficient and commuter-friendly city, while critics fear it will trigger widespread job losses and increased fares.
As the December 5 rollout approaches, Davao City faces a crucial moment—one that may redefine mobility, public welfare, and the direction of modernization in Mindanao’s largest city.