LTO's 150 breath analyzer kits just kept in storage since bought last March

Last March, the LTO bought 150 breath analyzer kits and each kit cost P68,000, but they were hardly ever used by police officers and MMDA constables. Instead, the kits are just kept in different offices of the LTO. 

 

"It's not maximized as much as we want to. Kung maaari po sana it would be on the road most of the time, kung kaya na nating itong i-pwesto 24 hours a day. Ang problema lang natin, kulang lang siyang talaga. Kakaunti lang. Pero siguro if they would coordinate with us, pwede naman mag-issue ng pailan-ilan," LTO spokesperson Jason Salvador said in a report on GMA-7's "24 Oras." 

 

The LTO spokesman urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metro Manila Developmental Authority (MMDA) to coordinate with them if they want to use breath analyzers, which are devices used to estimate blood alcohol content. 

 

According to the PNP Highway Patrol Group, there have been 200 cases of drunk diving from Janaury to August this year. However, the police officers could not file charges because they don't have breath analyzers in hand. 

 

Drunk driving is a violation of Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act. 

 

"Hindi kasi kakayahan ng isang pulis na sabihin na lasing ka. Wala sa atin [makakasabi] na lasing ka kasi subjective iyan eh. Kailangan isang instrumento na calibrated ang magsasabi para maisampa mo ang kaso at maipanalo mo ang kaso," PNP Highway Patrol Group spokesperson Supt. Oliver Tanseco said. 

 

RA 10586, which was enacted on July 1, 2014, the LTO is deputized to train police officers and MMDA constables on how to use breathalyzers. 

 

MMDA also said that only four of their traffic constables were trained. MMDA chief traffic inspector Rey Arrada added that it's not clear if there's budget for them to purchase the kits. He also said that the use of breathalyzers is a nationwide concern. 

 

LTO did not deny this. Thus, it is hoping it can add more kits for the use of police officers and other enforcers. 

 

Mas makakainam raw kung madagdagan ito at maipamahagi sa lahat ng pulis at enforcer.

 

"We want to [issue breath analyzers to PNP and MMDA]. But kulang rin kasi talaga no. But as far as I know they can always purchase their own breath analyzer kits, provided that they follow the specifications na ginamit namin," Salvador said.  — Trisha Macas/ELR, GMA News