BY ARNELYN L. LAPATIS & MEKYLA JANE TICAR | CMU Interns
THE DAVAO City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) rolled out a series of infrastructure and service upgrades in anticipation of the passenger influx for the fast-approaching Kadayawan Festival.
During the iSpeak forum at City Hall on Thursday, July 3, Aisa Usop, DCOTT manager, said that free Internet access is now operational starting July 1.
“It’s timely because we are expecting an influx of passengers for the Kadayawan. As I have observed, pag daghan ang pasahero kay mangita jud na sila ug Internet,” she said.
Usop worked with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the city government for the free Wi-Fi, which would be limited to 30 minutes per use for now.
“This Internet is 30 minutes of use upon connecting. I-disconnect sa to nimo after 30 minutes then i-connect napud nimo for another 30 minutes,” she added.
Meanwhile, DCOTT proposed the construction of an additional public comfort room building.
“Karun, kulang gihapon ang atoang CR because remember that we have a minimum of 35,000 passengers a day. That’s why katong private nato na comfort room is existing gihapon siya,” she said.
While a private facility remains operational, Usop said that the new structure, located on the terminal’s southbound side, will feature separate toilets, as well as designated areas for persons with disabilities (PWDs) and senior citizens.
Usop also highlighted the rehabilitation of the drainage system with a budget of approximately P5 million to mitigate flooding.
“By phase ang paghimo nato ani kay dili nato madali-dali ug implement labaw na ning drainage nato diha because we know nga ang atoang mga base or mga bangag is ginagamit sa mga buses nato,” Usop explained.
Another infrastructure upgrade includes a gymnasium-style building designed to serve as an operational area or resting space for city buses. “Kani siya, diha ipa tambay ang mga city buses nato. Actually, mao na na siya ang klaro nga nahuman ug gina implement,” Usop confirmed.
With these developments, DCOTT aims to offer commuters a more efficient and passenger-friendly transport hub, aligning with Davao City’s broader push for smart and inclusive public service.
