SURPRISE TEST. Agents of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 10 conduct a surprise drug test for public utility vehicle drivers in two terminals in Cagayan de Oro City on Friday (April 8, 2022). In one of the terminals, 87 drivers tested negative for illegal drug use, while some reportedly refused to undergo the test. (Photo courtesy of LTFRB)
CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY – Four public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers here have tested positive for illegal drug use during the implementation of random drug testing for drivers under "Oplan Harabas".
The data released Friday evening by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board of Northern Mindanao (LTFRB-10), showed that four were found positive out of the 179 drivers and conductors who took the drug tests.
In an interview on Saturday, LTFRB-10 enforcer Vergel Jay Mabilanga said the four PUV drivers were temporarily suspended.
"Right now, we marked their names in our system and soon, we will be advising them to undergo the seminar again even though they were already done; and they are also not allowed as of the moment to drive a public transportation as they will be monitored by their barangays," he said.
In a separate press briefing, Jigger Montallana, Director of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in Region 10 (PDEA-10), said those who tested positive will undergo either community-based or facility-based rehabilitation in their barangays.
"If there are drivers who will be tested positive for the test, the LTO (Land Transporation Office) will confiscate the driver's license, and on our part, we will profile them," Montallana said in a media briefing here Friday.
"Oplan Harabas" is a nationwide random drug testing initiative by PDEA, LTFRB, LTO, and the Philippine National Police.
In this city, the agencies conducted the surprise drug test at the Westbound Integrated Bus Terminal and Agora Integrated Bus Terminal.
In one of the terminals, 87 drivers tested negative for illegal drug use, while some reportedly refuse to undergo the test but will be obligated by the bus company to under the mandatory testing.
Mabilanga said they are also implementing the "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos Semana Santa 2022", expecting an influx of passengers for the observance of Holy Week.
In Digos City, Davao del Sur, five of the 92 who underwent random drug testing were similary found positive for illegal substances, according to PDEA-11’s statement on Saturday.
The on-the-spot testing was conducted at the Satellite Land Transport Terminal in Barangay Aplaya on Friday.
PDEA Investigation Agent Mildred Driz-Romero said the five were two utility van drivers, a cab driver, a bus driver, and a bus conductor.
"They will have to undergo drug rehabilitation program in consonance with the Community-based Drug Rehabilitation Program," she said.
Those who were tested were 37 bus drivers, 16 bus conductors, 16 utility van drivers, 19 tricycle drivers, one jeepney driver, and three cab drivers.
Francisco Paulo Barias, LTO-11 officer, said the licenses of the five were confiscated and will be returned after they finish the rehabilitation program.
Davao City and Davao del Norte likewise conducted random drug testing on Friday. (With reports from Nef Luczon, Eldie Aguirre/PNA)
