With the anticipated surge of travelers for All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day, the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) is heightening its safety and security protocols to ensure smooth and orderly travel for thousands of passengers heading to various destinations across Mindanao.
DCOTT Manager Aisa Usop said the terminal has been preparing for the influx of commuters expected to begin as early as the last week of October.
She added that beyond managing crowd volume, the focus this year is on passenger safety, discipline, and coordination among transport and enforcement agencies.
She also said that to manage the expected spike in travelers, DCOTT has coordinated with the Southern Mindanao Bus Operators Association (SMBOA) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) for the issuance of special permits allowing additional bus trips on high-demand routes.
“Sometimes dili ma pre-empt; there are times na daghan og naa ang panahon mudaghan ang north, important ang LTFRB for the issuance of special permits sa mga buses,” Usop said during I-Speak media forum.
Usop said on an average day, DCOTT facilitates 700 to 800 bus trips, but this could rise to 1,000 to 1,500 daily trips during the “Kalag-Kalag” period, accommodating an estimated 50,000 to 80,000 passengers—more than double the usual daily count.
She pointed out that to maintain order and security, DCOTT has deployed a range of measures, including 32 CCTV cameras, walk-through scanners, baggage X-ray machines, and the presence of Task Force Davao and the Davao City Police Office (DCPO).
Usop added that The Land Transportation Office (LTO) will inspect buses for roadworthiness, while LTFRB will ensure that drivers possess complete and valid documents.
Usop also reiterated the city’s strict enforcement of the “no pick-up” policy along highways to discourage drivers from loading passengers outside the terminal, calling it a crucial element of DCOTT’s safety framework.
For convenience, Usop urged passengers to book tickets online, as those with online reservations are prioritized at the entrance to prevent delays and missed trips.
Despite the expected heavy turnout, Usop assured that DCOTT remains orderly and incident-free, citing effective monitoring and public cooperation.
DCOTT currently serves 21 bus companies on both northbound and southbound routes, and remains on full alert to ensure safe, efficient, and secure travel for the upcoming long weekend.
