Welcome, send-off remain banned in Davao transportation hubs

Tecson reminded especially out-of-town people that there is a ban on welcome and send-off at the Davao International Airport.

She said currently, they are implementing tight security in these areas after the reported instances of welcome greeters and send-off parties last week.

In February 2020, Mayor Sara Duterte announced a permanent ban on greeters or send-off groups in transportation hubs effective February 11, 2020.

The mayor said, "It is not only because of the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) but for reasons of safety and security. Only employees, workers, drivers, and passengers are allowed in these places." 

All passengers can be dropped off and picked up by private or public transport drivers only. All welcome greetings and send-offs shall be made in their respective residences.

Davao City Public Safety Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay meanwhile said welcome greeters and send-off groups are no longer seen at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT).

"There is no such incident insofar as land transportation [is concerned]. At DCOTT, you will only see passengers. It's at the airport that greeters are prohibited. Even CAAP Davao issued guidelines on this,” Sumagaysay said.

Sumagaysay clarified that only a driver is allowed to send and drop off a passenger at DIA. If a passenger is a person with a disability or a senior citizen, he or she may have one companion aside from the driver.

“In fact, at the airport, we have a drivers' parking area. Drivers will just pick up passengers. We are prohibiting gatherings at the departure and arrival areas to prevent COVID-19 transmission, he said.

According to him, there were few attempts by some groups to send off or welcome passengers but Sumagaysay said the Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel at the DIA entrance have been instructed that only passengers and a driver should be inside vehicles. Otherwise, those who are neither passengers nor drivers inside the vehicle will have to alight at the airport's entrance gate.

"That has already been announced. I hope the public will not test our security protocol. We must respect it," Sumagaysay said.