An official from the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Region 11 (LTFRB-11) announced that 88 modernized public utility vehicles (PUVs) under the Public Utility Vehicle Modernization Program (PUVMP) are now operational in the Davao Region. Engineer Ronnel Victor Panigon, transportation development officer and PUVMP head of LTFRB-11, stated that 87 of these units are operating in Davao del Sur, where many cooperatives have completed the consolidation process. These vehicles serve inter-local government unit routes such as Digos City-Kiblawan, Digos City-Malalag, and Digos City-Malita. The remaining unit, owned by Mandaya Van Transport System Cooperative, was recently launched and operates on the Davao to Baganga route via Mati City. Panigon emphasized that the modernization program is ongoing, countering claims on social media that it had been halted. He noted that 92% of cooperative-owned PUVs outside Davao City have been consolidated, involving 33 transport service entities across the region. Davao City’s public transport modernization, part of the High Priority Bus System (HPBS), is a national project and not included in the regional consolidation. The P73.4-billion HPBS, funded by a loan from the Asian Development Bank and national and local budgets, remains on track despite delays in funding disbursement. The LTFRB stated that the PUVMP aims to address the country’s transport challenges and future demands.
