Bus drivers across Mindanao underwent a drug test ahead of the Holy Week break to ensure the safety of travelers.

As experienced every year, throngs of travelers hit the streets during the Holy Week break, which lasts for four days, from Holy Thursday to Easter Sunday.

Drivers in Davao City Overland Transport Terminal were required to submit urine samples during the drug test.

According to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Davao (PDEA-11), one bus driver tested positive for illegal drug use and the result will be subjected to confirmatory test.

“Meron ng isa, kinakailangan lang natin ng confirmatory. Sana huwag na madagdagan,” PDEA-11 Director, Edgar Jubay, said.

The Land Transportation Office-Davao (LTO-11) added that if the confirmatory test returns positive, a show cause order will be issued to the driver.

“Kapag si driver nag-positive sa confirmatory test, i-issuehan po siya ng show cause order tapos to afford due process sa driver, then yung investigation, susunod na po diyan, magsa-submit po ng recommendation si regional director para kay Asst. Sec.,” LTO-11 Regional Law Enforcement Head, Yuri Lim, said.

LTO-11 said drivers who will test positive may be suspended and their licenses may be revoked.

The driver may also undergo rehabilitation and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) will take appropriate action against the operator.

LTFRB-11 also conducted inspections of the bus units.

“So far, bastante man ang atoang supply of public utility buses. Ang atoa lang ginapaniguro karon is, we have to check the road worthiness sa atong units nga managan,” LTFRB-11 Director, Nonito Llanos III, said.

Meanwhile, up to 500 jeepney drivers in Zamboanga City underwent a surprise drug test at the Zamboanga Integrated Bus Terminal.