• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Twenty drivers, including 14 truck and three tricycle drivers, tested positive for illegal drugs in the random drug testing conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region and the Land Transportation Office-NIR in Dumaguete City Jan. 29.
The “Oplan Harabas” operation was carried out at the Dumaguete Transport Terminal, Dumaguete Ceres Terminal, and the bypass road in Zone 2, Barangay Looc, with 193 transport workers subjected to drug testing.
Aside from the 14 truck and three tricycle drivers, a truck helper, a jeepney driver, and an e-trike driver also tested positive, the LTO-NIR said.
These drivers will undergo confirmatory testing, and upon validation, shall be subjected to appropriate administrative sanctions in accordance with existing rules and regulations, including the revocation of license per Republic Act 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013, the LTO stressed in a statement.
The PDEA-NIR said this was the first Oplan Harabas held in Negros Oriental, and the public safety operation was aimed at preventing drug-impaired driving through drug screening of public transport drivers and related personnel.
“These are screening results only, and all 20 individuals who tested positive will be subjected to confirmatory laboratory testing, in accordance with the provisions of Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, and established procedures,” the agency stressed. “Appropriate administrative and legal actions, if warranted, shall be undertaken only after confirmation and proper evaluation by concerned authorities.”
The PDEA-NIR also called on transport operators, drivers, and the riding public to continue supporting government efforts toward a drug-free and safe travel environment.
Early this month, a jeepney driver in Bacolod also tested positive for illegal drugs, out of the 101 drivers subjected to random testing, also as part of Oplan Harabas, at the Bacolod Southbound Terminal.
In November last year, LTO-NIR director Jeck Conlu said that six drivers in Bacolod were disqualified from ever holding a license again, after they tested drug positive in a confirmatory test.
Conlu stressed the LTO-NIR is determined to ensure that every PUV driver is drug-free and fit to drive, as he stressed the need to “aggressively eliminate any threat posed by impaired drivers to public safety on the region’s roads.” | CGC
