Bus drivers in Davao City underwent a surprise drug test to ensure safe trips during the holiday season.

Personnel of the Land Transportation Office-Davao (LTO-11) facilitated the drug test at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) on Thursday, December 19, 2024.

Authorities also checked the condition of the buses.

“Naka-strategy po ‘yung ang mga law enforcement teams regularly, daily, para sa terminal, roadside, and garage inspections. This also includes sa mga mall, mga taxi based natin, mga PUJ based natin sa mga mall,” LTO-11 Regional Law Enforcement Section Head, Yuri Lim, said.

Personnel of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board-Davao (LTFRB-11) were also deployed to ensure that there is enough number of buses that would cater travelers.

LTFRB-11 also put up a help desk to assist travelers at the terminal.

The agency also granted special permits to 22 bus units, based on the application of the bus companies. These buses will have Davao-New Bataan, Davao-Tandag, and Davao Kidapawan routes and vice versa.

“Number 1 namo nga ginatan-aw kung ang tire ba nila dili hilis, then GPS, and ang mga papeles, naa ba syay cbc, latest ba ang iyang OR/CR, naa pud gps nga nakakabit sa ilang mga unit,” LTFRB-11 Administrative Office, Engr. Mary Jean Jaralba, added.

“But then kung kulangon gyud ang buses, siguro maka estimate ta mga Dec. 23 kay mao may last day of work. So, naa mi ana diri sa DCOTT, naa sab mi giprepare nga special permit just in case kulangon gyud ang buses,” Jaralba added.

DCOTT management is expecting that the number of passengers will increase from Friday evening, December 20, 2024, until weekend.

“We have 700-800 bus trips a day, mao na ang atong normal. And based on experience gyud kapag ing-ani nga peak days, peak month, muabot ta sa 1k to 1.5k trips a day. That is equivalent to 50-80k passengers a day,” DCOTT Manager, Aisa Yusop, said.

Meanwhile, LTO-11 is also monitoring colorum vehicles that will pick up passengers outside the terminal.

“I also encourage ang mga pasahero, pumunta po tayo sa mga terminal na mga UB express, terminal ng bus. Huwag po tayong sumakay sa bus stop, along the roads and highways, iwasan po nating sumakay diyan para hindi po tayo magkami ng sakay ng mga kolorum,” Lim said.