As holiday travel picks up, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Region 1 has intensified random drug testing among public transport drivers to keep passengers safe on the road.

The LTO said continuous testing is part of its holiday safety measures, especially as more people travel for Christmas and New Year. In a recent round of random drug testing involving drivers and conductors of buses, vans, and other public transport, one van driver tested positive for illegal drugs.

Glorioso Daniel Martinez, LTO-1 director, confirmed that the result has already been validated.

“Out of 100 na na-test ay may isang nag-positive, and it was already confirmed by the DOH na positive talaga sa illegal na droga na ginagamit, so ibig sabihin po nito ay magkakaroon siya ng rehabilitation at for revocation na ang kanyang lisensya,” he said.

Following the incident, the LTO renewed its call on bus companies, van operators, and transport cooperatives to conduct regular drug testing among their drivers and conductors to ensure road safety throughout the holiday season.

Despite the expected surge of passengers, transport groups assured the public that there will be enough public utility vehicles on the road.

Bernard Tuliao, president of the One Pangasinan Transport Federation, said drivers have committed to operate during the holidays.

“Hindi tayo nagkukulang sa pagsasabi sa mga operators-drivers na tingnan maigi ang mga sasakyan, i-kondisyon kasi mas mahirap kung hindi nila titignan sa dami ng pasahero baka magkulang ang ating mga sasakyan,” he said.

For many drivers, the busy season also means a chance to earn more.

“Magbiyahe kami ngayon para kumita,” Joey Aquino, a jeepney driver, said,

Authorities said random drug testing and vehicle inspections will continue in the coming days to help ensure safe and orderly travel during the peak holiday period.