DAGUPAN CITY (PIA) — In a bid to ensure road safety and a drug-free transport sector, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) Region 1, in partnership with the Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), and Department of Health (DOH), conducted a surprise random drug testing operation at a bus station here on Dec. 27.
Fifty bus drivers and conductors were tested, with all results returning negative — an indication of compliance with safety standards.
LTO Region 1 Director Glorioso Daniel Martinez highlighted the importance of conducting surprise random drug tests to ensure the effectiveness of the agency’s campaign against illegal drug use among drivers and conductors.
“We continue to implement this because a surprise and random approach means no one will know ahead of time, allowing us to effectively catch those drivers and conductors using illegal drugs,” Martinez said.
Martinez added that drivers who test positive face six months of rehabilitation and must undergo another drug test before returning to work to ensure a drug-free lifestyle.
Ensuring passenger safety
Victory Liner-Dagupan Terminal Master Melchor Rarang shared that their company conducts regular drug testing every six months to guarantee passenger safety.
“We perform regular drug tests every six months. Our most recent one was in November 2024, and no positive results were reported,” he shared.
He added that they ensure that their drivers and conductors are well-rested and are not under the influence of alcohol before departing to ensure safe travel.
Furthermore, their buses go through pre-departure and rigorous quality inspections to ensure safety and uphold high performance and passenger comfort standards.
Vic (not his real name), a conductor of Victory Liner-Dagupan and one of those who underwent drug testing, expressed his full support for the LTO’s initiative to ensure that all drivers and conductors remain drug-free.
“This is important because it ensures the safety of everyone. There should be no drivers, conductors, or even passengers under the influence of drugs,” he said.
Holistic approach to road safety
The LTO promotes a safer and more compliant transportation system through two key strategies: persuasive enforcement and preventive enforcement.
Persuasive enforcement helps educate and encourage road users to follow traffic laws for safety, promoting personal responsibility.
Preventive enforcement involves inspections to ensure safety standards are met, reducing accidents and creating a safer environment.
Martinez affirmed that these strategies provide a holistic approach to ensuring safety, compliance, and a drug-free transport sector.
“To all drivers and conductors, always prioritize everyone’s safety. For passengers, choose safe and reliable vehicles. Avoid riding unregistered vehicles, as they offer no protection,” he advised.
Through initiatives like random drug testing, the LTO underscores its dedication to maintaining public trust, road safety, and a drug-free transport sector. (CCMT/JCDR, PIA Pangasinan)
