More than 40 public utility jeepney drivers and operators in Davao City have completed the latest social preparation training as the city continues preparing transport workers for the transition to a modern bus system.
The 81st batch of the Davao Bus Project’s Social Preparation Training was held on September 16 and 17, 2026, at the Grand Menseng Hotel. The two-day program focused on personality development, financial literacy and employment opportunities for transport workers who may be affected by the modernization project.
For PUJ driver Garry James Junaco, who has driven the El Rio route for seven years, the training provided a clearer picture of the opportunities that could become available under the new system, including the possibility of working as a bus driver.
Davao Bus Project Office Supervising Project Development Officer Arjay Abat said the training is designed to help drivers, operators and other affected transport workers understand the project and prepare for changes to their livelihoods.
The sessions are part of the project’s Social Development Program, which provides information about employment, financial support and other assistance available to qualified beneficiaries.
Participants also receive free meals and a ₱700 daily training allowance. Those who complete the program receive a certificate of completion, while finishing the mandatory training is required for affected transport workers to qualify for financial and nonfinancial assistance from the city government.
The city has identified 6,460 drivers, 2,292 operators and 50 allied transport workers as qualified under the Social Development Program. As of September 2026, 6,239 participants had already completed the training in 81 batches since the program began in 2024.
The city is continuing to encourage PUJ drivers, operators and allied workers who have not yet attended the training to register. Sessions are scheduled monthly through December 2026.
The Davao Public Transport Modernization Project is intended to establish an integrated bus network across the city. The broader project is planned to operate 1,105 buses across 29 routes covering about 672 kilometers, with more than 1,000 bus stops planned as part of the network.
For transport workers, the transition is not simply about replacing jeepneys with buses. The city’s training program is also intended to prepare drivers and operators for new employment opportunities and provide assistance as the public transport system undergoes a major change.
