Following horrid accidents at Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll plaza and at Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) has required regular drug testing of all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers every 90 days.

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) 6 heeds the DoTr order to be able to conduct regular drug testing at transport terminals (bus, van, taxicab, among others).

“We intend to coordinate with the PDEA [Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency] on this to be able to conduct drug testing on a regular basis,” according to Atty. Gaudioso Geduspan II, LTO 6 regional director.

The Western Visayas Transport Cooperative backs the DoTr order.   

“Ang programa ng DoTr sa ngayon ay suportado natin sa transportation at ng mga kooperatiba dahil para naman ito sa ikabubuti nating lahat,” Boyet Parcon, president of the Western Visayas Transport Cooperative, said.

A few road accidents in the Province of Iloilo involve public utility vehicles (PUVs). One of which is a taxicab that rammed into a bus on a U-turn slot in Barangay Bolong Este, Santa Barbara town. The bus also hit a passenger jeepney on impact.

PUV drivers express support to the move of DoTr.

“Para safe kaming lahat at sa mga pasahero rin sa aming taxi. At least, comfortable sila na maganda dito sa Iloilo, hindi adik (ang driver),” Francis Aguiles, a taxi driver, said.

Commuters also approve of the move.

“Yan ang nararapat para sa safety ng lahat,” said Mary June Rivera, a commuter.

LTO 6 will be preparing the process for the drug testing of PUV drivers, and which entities or persons would shoulder the cost of the testing.