THE Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (Dcott) is ramping up security measures ahead of Holy Week to ensure passenger safety.
Dcott manager Aisa Usop said security is being tightened following recent pickpocketing incidents at the terminal. To address this, personnel will now monitor all 32 CCTV cameras around the clock. Investigations revealed that the perpetrators were not from Davao City.
“Atoa na pud gi-meeting ang atoang mga security guards together with the team leaders from Task Force Davao, kapulisan, kay dili lang ang security measures ang atong ginabantayan kay basin mukalit na pod og daghan ang mga pickpockets (We’ve met with our security guards, along with team leaders from Task Force Davao and the police, to discuss security measures and stay vigilant in case pickpocketing cases rise again)," Usop said in a radio interview on Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) on Monday, March 31, 2025.
With an influx of passengers expected during Holy Week, Dcott will open Gate 7 exclusively for senior citizens, pregnant women, mothers, and passengers with minimal baggage.
Usop also announced the arrival of a new high-tech baggage scanner capable of handling up to 200 kilograms, streamlining inspections. The terminal now has three baggage scanners, all located at the main entrance.
Additionally, bus operators have been advised to secure special permits from the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to accommodate the increased number of passengers.
To prevent congestion and security risks, Dcott will strictly enforce its “No Pick-up Policy,” urging passengers to board buses only inside the terminal.
During Holy Week in 2024, the terminal recorded over 80,000 daily passengers, leading to the deployment of additional buses and surpassing the target of 1,500 daily bus trips. RGP