• CHERYL G. CRUZ
Land Transportation Office-Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) OIC director Jeck Conlu said Nov. 10 that six drivers, who recently tested drug-positive in Bacolod City, have been disqualified from ever holding a license again.
The two traditional jeepney and four modern bus drivers were part of some 100 drivers and operators screened during the “Oplan Harabas” random drug testing Oct. 29 at the Bacolod North Terminal, and found positive for using shabu, the LTO-NIR said.
The positive results were confirmed by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 through the Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis, it added.
Conlu said 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.”
Drugs and driving will result in a lifetime ban, the agency said.
Meanwhile, the LTO-NIR said it deployed six buses to evacuate residents and assist stranded passengers in Negros Occidental in light of super typhoon Uwan.
Conlu led the emergency mobilization, with full assistance of various LTO district offices, and in coordination with Negros Occidental 5th District Rep. Emilio Bernardino Yulo and the Vallacar Transit Corporation. | CGC
