A multi-pronged approach to addressing traffic should be adopted to deal with what former Davao City lawmaker Karlo Nograles said is the consequence of progress and development, and one path that needs to be explored is the establishment of a “digital superhighway” in Davao City.
Speaking to residents in the third district of Davao City, Nograles on Monday explained that “traffic is often the consequence of a city’s development; the more it progresses, the more busy its roads become. If we can anticipate it, we can plan for it—and we can solve it.”
He explained that “traffic is not just a transportation issue; it’s an economic issue. If we reduce the number of people who need to commute daily, we ease congestion and improve productivity at the same time. Instead of simply widening roads, we need to rethink mobility by reducing the need to travel in the first place.”
According to Nograles, “a modern city should embrace modern work models. By promoting work-from-home and flexi-time arrangements, we reduce peak-hour congestion while improving work-life balance. Davao City can lead the way in promoting industries that do not require people to spend hours commuting.”
“If we want to make Davao City a hub for the future, we need to invest in digital jobs, tech startups, and remote-friendly industries.”
“Hindi lang mga bagong daan ang sagot sa traffic; isa din solusyon ang tinatawag na digital superhighway. We will invest in digital infrastructure to support remote jobs and encourage businesses to adopt hybrid work setups. We will digitize Davao City government services so you do not have to commute to City Hall to get your permits.”
During Nograles’ tenure as Civil Service Commission (CSC) Chair, the CSC issued CSC Memorandum Circular (MC) No. 6, s. 2022, which provided guidelines and policies on Flexible Working Arrangements (FWAs) in government offices. In August 2024, the CSC introduced a hybrid work arrangement for its Central and Regional Offices across the country, consisting of four days onsite and one day remote each week while ensuring continuous delivery of external frontline services from Monday to Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
“Traffic solutions should go beyond infrastructure. If we develop industries that allow Davaoeños to work from home or at flexible hours, we create a city that is not just less congested but also more future-ready. We can do this because Davao’s strength is its skilled workforce, and with it we can attract the right companies—those that offer remote or flexible work options—and can generate jobs while easing the daily commute,” said Nograles.
The longtime public servant said he would work with businesses “to bring in high-value jobs that do not depend on physical presence. If we provide the right incentives, we can make Davao a leader in flexible work arrangements.”
“If we want to make Davao City a hub for the future, we need to invest in digital jobs, tech startups, and remote-friendly industries. A city that works from anywhere is a city that moves better. Our vision for Davao is simple: a city that works smarter, moves faster, and grows stronger. We want more than just more roads; we want better ways of working.”
