ILOILO CITY — The Land Transportation Office in Western Visayas (LTO-6) is continuously conducting surprise and random alcohol test among drivers and conductors as passengers rush to go home through the various terminals in this city.
This is to ensure that drivers are not under the influence of any alcoholic drinks and that they could drive safely, LTO-6 information officer Riza Otayde said in an interview Thursday.
“During the observation and All Saints and All Souls’ day, many are traveling to their respective hometowns so we want to ensure their safety by ensuring that their drivers are alcohol-free,” she said.
According to Otayde, the random alcohol test started October 30 and will continue until November 5.
These were conducted starting with the big terminals here like the Tagbak Bus Terminal,Vallacar Transit Terminal and Ungka Terminal, all in Jaro district, and the bus and van terminal in the village of San Pedro in Molo district.
At least four LTO enforcers were deployed to conduct the tests with the use of three breathe analyzers.
“The subjects were randomly selected especially those who are suspected to be drunk or had a hang-over because they look weak,” Otayde said.
So far, she said, 15 drivers and conductors underwent the test but all have tested negative.
She said that each subject should have 0.0 percent result on the test to be cleared by the enforcers. Those who were tested with 0.5 percent and up alcohol trace will not be allowed to drive and will face sanctions.
Under Republic Act 10586 or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, persons who drive under the influence of alcohol,dangerous drugs and similar substances will face penalty ranging from PHP20,000 and up and imprisonment.
Meantime, Otayde assured that they are strictly monitoring all the terminals here to ensure peace and order while there is influx of passengers.
“We are not allowing excess passengers and those who are standing so that they will be safe during travel and to avoid any untoward accidents,” she said.
She then urged drivers and conductors to prioritize senior citizens, persons with disability and pregnant women.
If the units of vehicles experience shortage and cannot accommodate all the passengers, Otayde assured that the LTO assistance desk at the terminal are responding to the need by informing other operators to provide augmentation.
Further, the Philippine Coast Guard 6 (PCG-6) also continue to secure about 16 seaports in the region as passengers continue to flock here.
Lt. Ramil Palabrica, spokesperson of PCG-6 said that they are securing that there is no overloading in the boats and passengers undergo strict pre-departure check to assure that they are not bringing illegal drugs, firearms and other harmful objects.
“So far, everything is orderly although yesterday, there are really long lines in our terminals,” he said, referring to ports like the Guimaras Iloilo Ferry Terminal in Fort San Pedro in this city.
Palabrica said that coast guard personnel will continue to strengthen their watch and provide assistance to passengers until November 5. (Cindy Ferrer/PNA)
