THE Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott) is gearing up for a major spike in passenger traffic for this year’s Kadayawan sa Dabaw Festival, expecting 20 percent to 30 percent more arrivals. That translates to an extra 900 to 1,000 bus trips a day, around 40,000 to 45,000 passengers daily.
During the Davao Peace and Security Press Corps briefing held at The Royal Mandaya Hotel earlier this week,
Usop said, “Unlike Holy Week or All Saints’ Day, the flow varies depending on the activities organized by neighboring municipalities and provinces.”
Unlike Holy Week or All Saints’ Day, Usop noted, passenger flow during Kadayawan depends on events hosted by nearby municipalities and provinces.
To meet demand, Dcott has partnered with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to issue special permits for additional buses. Usop said many operators apply for these permits specifically for the festival rush.
Security has also been tightened inside the terminal, with DCOTT staff working alongside the Civil Security Unit (CSU). Strict enforcement of the “no pick-up” policy remains in place—buses cannot load passengers outside the terminal. Usop urged both drivers and commuters to follow the rules to keep traffic smooth and ensure everyone’s safety.
Last year’s Kadayawan saw Dcott handle as many as 75,000 passengers a day—more than double the regular 35,000 to 40,000—while bus trips jumped from the usual 700–800 to between 1,000 and 1,500. DEF