THE PUBLIC Safety and Security Office (PSSO) is looking into the possibility of amending the “No Backpack policy” of the city.
This arose from a post of a mother, named Hanna Cano, who brought her 4-year-old to the Rio Carnival on the Davao City Coastal Road.
Cano shared that she brought a “baby” backpack for the essentials of her child.
The original post was already deleted, but she posted another video update on April 2, citing the comments from PWDs and mothers who had similar concerns with the policy.
“I believe this is a chance for us to have a conversation about existing policies. Of course, we respect the culture of security in Davao, pero perhaps meron tayong extra consideration if the place is really meant for kids,” she said in an updated post.
During the iSpeak Media Forum on Thursday, PSSO chief Angel Sumagaysay said they are in coordination with Councilor Luna Acosta, the city council’s committee chair on peace and public safety, for proper actions.
“We will revisit it, tan-awn nato, but ang gisandigan diha ang city ordinance, especially the security measures sa dagko nga event,” Sumagaysay said.
He added that the meeting with Acosta will hopefully come up with a “win-win” solution so as not to deviate from the security protocol.
“Enough na tong experience nato nga through the backpacks, nabombahan ta sa Davao City, so tanawon nato unsay maayo ani,” he added.
The official noted that there would be slight modifications to the existing policy to consider the complaints raised but not compromise public safety.
Following the Roxas bombing in 2016, the No Backpack rule was observed in places of convergence in the city as part of the culture of security.
