By Gail Momblan/Philippine News Agency
ILOILO CITY — To ensure safe travel of the public this Holy Week, the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) 6 (Western Visayas) conducted random drug testing for bus drivers, conductors, and inspectors at the Ceres Northbound Terminal in this city’s Jaro district on Monday.
For the activity dubbed “Oplan: Huli Week”, PDEA partnered with the Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation, Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).
Eugene Prieto, Investigation Agent III of PDEA-6, said they aim to conduct the drug test on a minimum of 300 bus drivers and conductors until Tuesday.
“Bus is the usual vehicles for long trips and we have drivers and other bus workers tested for them to have a safe travel,” Prieto said in an interview.
He said those who would be tested positive of drug use would be reported to their bus company management for proper actions.
The Vallacar Transit Incorporated (VTI), which operates the Ceres buses, backs the random drug testing operation for drivers and bus workers.
Moises Flores, VTI administration officer, said the company would request for a confirmatory test for those employees who would be discovered using illegal drugs.
“We will give him the due process through asking for a confirmatory test in Manila. If proven positive, he will be dismissed from service as per our company rules,” Flores said.
Meanwhile, Jonas Torres, Field Enforcement Division officer of the LTO-6, also said drivers who would be tested positive of drugs will face penalty.
Citing Republic Act 10586, the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, he said the license of the erring drivers would be revoked.
Aside from preparing the drivers their busy schedules this Holy Week, Torres said the LTO also makes sure that vehicles are “roadworthy.”
“We go around terminals to check the condition of the tires of public utility vehicles, if they have complete accessories like the signal light, among others,” he said.
Torres said the upsurge of passengers in terminals is expected to start Monday until Wednesday to prepare for the observance of Maundy Thursday and Good Friday.
Prieto, meanwhile, said drug pushers might see the Holy Week as an opportunity to peddle illegal substances thus, PDEA -6 had also deployed K-9 units at the Ceres Northbound Terminal to check on the baggage of passengers.
“We don’t know where the drug can be transported. It might be by the bus, transported by the people in their baggage. Even during the Holy Week, they find ways,” Prieto said.
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