The Department of Budget and Management (DBM) on Thursday vowed to support mass transport infrastructure projects in Mindanao, particularly the Davao Public Transport Modernization Project (DPTMP) that has been stalled over lack of funding.
“As a Maranao and a daughter of Mindanao, I pledge my wholehearted support in ensuring that all projects and programs geared towards Mindanao development will be realized,” DBM Secretary Mina Pangandaman said in a statement.
“The DPTMP is a game-changing project that will transform the public transport landscape here in Davao and its nearby areas. It forms part of our whole-of-government approach to turn Mindanao from a land of promise into a land of promises fulfilled. Thus, in response to the call of our beloved President, the DBM commits to exert all the necessary help and efforts to pull this project to the finish line,” she said.
The DPTMP is a 672-kilometer bus route network that will serve 29 interconnected routes with 400 articulated battery electric buses and more than 500 diesel buses.
The Department of Transportation said the partial operation of the DPTMP is expected to start in the fourth quarter of 2025, while its full operation is seen by 2026.
It assured that it is also pursuing the Mindanao Railway Project (MRP) which aims to improve mobility and connectivity in the entire island.
“I believe that the Mindanao Railway Project must really push through. There is no better time to push it than now. The prioritization of this project translates to the prioritization of Mindanao,” Pangandaman said.
Once completed, the Mindanao railway project will connect Davao, General Santos, Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Cotabato, Zamboanga, Butuan, Surigao and Malaybalay in Bukidnon. Phase 1 (Tagum-Davao-Digos) spans over a hundred kilometers, with eight stations, and is expected to serve 122,000 passengers daily.
The DOTr has also partnered with the Mindanao State University (MSU) General Santos City to conduct research on land transport in SOCCKSKSARGEN, aiming to improve the modernization of public utility vehicles in the region.
The agency also lined up several airport projects in Mindanao including the expansion of Laguindingan Airport, which received an unsolicited proposal for its improvements, airports in Bukidnon and Zamboanga for modernization and airport upgrades in General Santos and Dipolog.