The officer of the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) has advised out-of-town commuters not to wait for buses on the highways but on the terminals to avoid bus rush and further delays on travel during the Holy Week.
“Normally, passengers wait on highways,” DCOTT officer-in-charge Joselito Torres said. “We don’t actually encourage (this).”
Due to the number of passengers, he said buses are already full when they leave the terminal.
Thus, he advised commuters to rather go to terminals to avoid bus rush and delays. This could also ensure security among commuters as tight security measures are being imposed in the transport terminal.
To maintain the security, DCOTT is in close coordination with the Task Force Davao.
“Last week, we conducted a bomb awareness seminar with the frontliners, we conduct this almost every year in coordination with the Task Force Davao,” Torres said.
DCOTT has also strategically positioned 31 CCTVs in bus terminal and two body scanners.
“Although we only have two scanning machines, you can still expect high level of security as Task Force (soldiers) are really doing its very best on inspecting baggage of the passengers,” he said.
Torres said they will have a fourth walkthrough segment intended for Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), pregnant women, senior citizens and women with infants.
Regularly, they have three walkthrough segments – one for male, one for female and one for passenger with bulky baggage.
He also added that they set up another entrance for passengers in Gate A to decongest people in the entrance area.
Full alert
Meanwhile, the Davao City Police Office is in full alert status for the observance of the Holy Week.
All police officers in the city are not allowed to take a break – day-off and leave — this week, said DCPO Director Alexander Tagum.
Col. Tagum reminded the public, especially those going to the church, of the “No Back Pack Policy.”
Tagum said he discussed with his men during a command conference last week the implementation of an intensified police deployment in churches and procession routes.
He said they are monitoring at least 30 churches.
Tagum also directed the activation for the motorists’ assistance desks in all 12 police stations to cater all the motorists.
“They will be coordinating with the Central 911 for the medical concerns and mechanics who can cater mechanical trouble to motorists,” Tagum said.
The Police Regional Office has deployed more than 1,000 officers to augment the DCPO in the security for the Holy Week and the weeklong Palarong Pambansa 2019 starting April 29.
Director Brig. Gen. Marcelo Morales said the police office is in full support to the leadership of the Catholic Church headed by Archbishop Romulo Valles. (with reports from Rhoda Grace B. Saron)
