THE Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) is considering revisiting the "No Backpack" policy, though it emphasizes that the city's safety and security standards must not be compromised.
Jennifer Romero, officer-in-charge of CTOO, discussed the matter in a media interview on Wednesday, April 9, 2025, saying that the policy should be reconsidered, especially regarding mothers. However, she said that Davao City's reputation for safety must remain a top priority.
"Kato nga incident, it also opened ba kay daghan na pud diay siya’g mga concerns na nagkahitabo pero being Dabawenyo, disiplinado man gyud, they will follow rules (Just like the incident, it opened up concerns, but being Dabawenyos, we are disciplined and follow the rules)," she said.
The discussion about revising the policy was sparked by a viral social media post from mother Hanna Cano, who shared her experience of being denied entry to the Rio Carnival at Davao City Coastal Road while carrying a backpack containing her child’s necessities. Romero noted that Cano’s concern opened an opportunity to revisit the policy and evaluate long-standing rules.
Romero added that for every event and tourism spot the CTOO promotes, reminders about local ordinances are given to tourists.
Meanwhile, Police Captain Hazel Caballero-Tuazon, spokesperson for the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said that they have not received any official instructions from the Local Government Unit (LGU) about changing the policy. She said that if changes are made, the DCPO will implement them alongside other security agencies.
"Daghan man gyud tao so kailangan nato unsay ipa-implement sa local government unit sundon pod na nato, lisod po og tanan atong i-allow gumikan kay naay isulod atong mga bisita so kailangan kung unsay balaod sundon lang pod nato (With so many people, we need to follow what the LGU implements. It would be difficult to allow everything, especially with visitors coming in. We need to follow the laws in place)," she said.
Angel Sumagaysay, chief of the Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO), added that Councilor Luna Acosta is collecting suggestions from the safety and security sector to amend the policy.
The "No Backpack" policy was first implemented after the Roxas Night bombing on September 2, 2016, which killed 15 people and injured 69. It was later extended to all places of worship after the January 27, 2019 bombing at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cathedral in Jolo, Sulu.
In 2019, then-Mayor Sara Duterte (now Vice President) expanded the policy to include all places of worship. Executive Order No. 41 in 2020 encouraged Dabawenyos to adopt a "Culture of Security," banning backpacks, large bags, and non-transparent water containers during mass gatherings. RGP