DAVAO City (PIA) — To ensure security and safety following the bombing incident at the gymnasium of Mindanao State University in Marawi City, extra precautions are implemented in Davao City.
In a recent AFP-PNP Press Corps media briefing, Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) manager Aiza Yusop said provincial bus drivers are no longer allowed to pick up passengers to and from Davao City. The loading and unloading of passengers will only be at the DCOTT based on the City Ordinance No. 110.
Davao City Overland Transport Terminal Manager Aisa Yusop answers questions from the media.
She said violators of this policy will be penalized, noting “We will be strict in the implementation of this ordinance to guarantee the safety of the passengers.”
She added that she met the officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) XI, Land Transportation (LTO) XI, the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) XI, the Traffic Enforcement Unit of the Davao City Police Office, and the City Transport and Traffic Management Office and agreed among themselves to implement this ordinance.
Yusop called on the bus drivers, conductors, and passengers to have self-discipline.
She said bus drivers and conductors must keep their doors closed to avoid picking up passengers, while passengers must avoid hailing buses at the roadside within the city limit, stressing that passengers must go to the DCOTT for the buses to take them to their destination in the south or north-bound areas.
“We are encouraging our passengers to start their journey at the DCOTT as we encourage the bus operators to inform the bus drivers not to pick up passengers along the highway for security reasons,” she said.
Yusop said that traffic enforcers are bound to implement the law by issuing traffic violation tickets to the bus drivers who might violate the ordinance because the government must see to it that the safety of everyone is achieved.
There was a proposal to install hailing points in Toril, Buhangin, and Bunawan. However, there are still more things to be addressed such as the putting up of a
shed and chairs as well as a police or members of the security cluster to be deployed in the area, hence the proposal was not approved. (RGA/JSGD/PIA Davao)
