DAVAO CITY – A councilor here has defended the Davao City Bus Project from critics.

Councilor Danilo Dayanghirang, chairperson of the Committee on Finance, Ways and Means, and Appropriations, said that the city government ensures that economic displacement is addressed through transition measures.

He said the public transport initiative benefits far more commuters than the number of drivers and operators who may be affected, in response to concerns that around 24,000 public utility vehicle drivers and operators could lose their livelihood due to the project.

He said that buses helped several passengers.

"The first question should be how many passengers will benefit from the buses compared with the number being cited," Dayanghirang said, adding that significantly more commuters in the city stand to gain from the project, especially during peak hours.

He said the government should pursue a "win-win solution" by helping affected drivers return to the mainstream economy through employment opportunities, including becoming bus drivers, or by strengthening transport cooperatives and associations.

The councilor cited ongoing social preparation programs, including scholarship assistance for children of affected drivers, and added that while any major transport reform would have an impact, the number of buses currently operating remains limited.

"Davao City is very large, so 20 or 30 buses will not displace everybody," he said, adding that the city's transport demand remains high as many commuters continue to wait for available rides during peak hours in different parts of the city.

Dayanghirang said concerned transport offices are implementing social preparation programs in line with the bus project's rollout.

He noted that current bus deployment represents only an initial phase of a broader transport improvement plan that includes additional buses, bypass roads, and other mobility projects.

Dayanghirang said the city must continue preparing affected sectors while addressing commuters' transport needs. He added that from the finance committee's perspective, the project should be viewed as a public service rather than a profit-generating venture.

"Government is here for public service. Government is not here to make a profit," the councilor stressed, adding that the city continues to consult with affected drivers and operators while studying ways to assist them in the transition phase.

On reports that some commuters, including senior citizens, Persons with Disabilities, and pregnant women, wait hours for buses, Dayanghirang said the issue must be addressed by transport authorities, including implementing offices headed by lawyer Dwight Domingo.

He acknowledged that the current number of buses remains insufficient to meet demand, saying more units are needed, as the city bus service was introduced before the full implementation of the national transport modernization program.

Despite complaints from some PUV operators and youth groups, the councilor maintained that existing jeepneys continue to operate at full capacity during peak hours, citing the Mintal-to-city-proper route as an example.

He said jeepneys and buses remain insufficient to meet commuter demand and said the current number of buses has not significantly reduced the livelihood of existing transport operators, especially during peak travel hours.

"Governance must balance public service and livelihood," Dayanghirang said. "The city is not trying to destroy anyone's source of income, but we also need to help commuters who wait for rides every day to ease their burden."

Dayanghirang said several programs funded under the 2026 budget have shown results, including the Davao City Bus Project, which helps reduce commuters' transportation costs; the new sanitary landfill, and continued improvements to health facilities in far-flung areas.

The councilor emphasized that the city continues to sustain growing expenditures without increasing local taxes or resorting to borrowing. He said the city's major expenses include waste management, security, and healthcare, among others, as demand for the services continues to grow.

He said revenue-generating activities, such as derbies, contribute to local income through amusement taxes and to increased economic activity in hotels, restaurants, and transport services. "As far as local taxes are concerned, we do not plan to increase taxes," he added.

Dayanghirang said the city continues to invest in social services to help reduce future government expenses, adding that there are no plans to increase local business taxes despite national tax issues involving real property valuation.

The councilor said that the City Council expects disaster mitigation and resettlement efforts to remain among the priorities in the next budget cycle, given recurring flooding and other calamities affecting Davao City. He added that the city is studying long-term flood mitigation measures.