ILOILO City – Four public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in this city are under threat of having their licenses revoked.
After testing positive for illegal drug use in a surprise drug screening conducted by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) on April 15, they further failed a confirmatory test.
The surprise drug test aimed to ensure safer roads and accountability among public transport drivers. It was carried out at the Ceres bus terminal in Jaro district and the Mohon terminal in Arevalo district.
LTO Region 6 director Atty. Gaudioso P. Geduspan II confirmed the receipt of the confirmatory results from PDEA on April 21.
The initial findings from the random screenings were validated, leading to the issuance of show cause orders to the four drivers. They have been asked to explain why their licenses should not be revoked.
The drivers who tested positive include a taxi driver, a tricycle driver from the Jaro terminal, and two drivers of modernized jeepneys from the Mohon terminal.
According to LTO regulations, any driver who tests positive for illegal substances risks having their licenses suspended or permanently revoked.
Additionally, they must attend rehabilitation or awareness programs as part of their rehabilitation process.
Geduspan emphasized the gravity of the violation, stating, “This initiative is part of our broader commitment to ensure that our roads are safe and free from drivers under the influence of illegal drugs. We want to prevent drug-related road crashes and protect the commuting public.”
This surprise operation highlights the LTO and PDEA’s ongoing crackdown on drug-influenced drivers, and both agencies have warned that similar unannounced drug testing operations will continue at public transport terminals across Western Visayas.
PUV operators and transport cooperatives are reminded to monitor their drivers and enforce strict adherence to road safety and anti-drug policies.
Authorities also encourage the public to report any suspicious behavior of drivers or transport workers that may be linked to substance use, reinforcing that transport safety is a shared responsibility./PN
