736 Drivers, Conductors Undergo Surprise Drug Test in Central Visayas

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in Central Visayas conducted Monday a surprise drug test on 736 bus drivers, conductors, and other bus personnel in four terminals in Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental.

PDEA-7 Regional Director Wardley Getalla said that of the total number, four drivers were found to be positive of illegal drug use and may be subjected for confirmatory test.

Getalla said the simultaneous conduct of the drug test on drivers and their support staff was meant to make travel safer for passengers celebrating the Holy Week in their respective towns and cities.

In Cebu, a total of 318 drivers submitted their urine samples for drug test.

In the North Bus Terminal in Mandaue City, Cebu, all the 139 drivers were found negative of drug use.

Likewise, all of 179 drivers who signed up for the surprise drug test at the Cebu South Bus Terminal along Natalio Bacalso Avenue had negative trace of illegal drugs in their urine samples.

Of 286 bus drivers who underwent surprise drug test at Dao Integrated Bus Terminal in Tagbilaran City, Bohol, four tested positive of shabu use. They will be subjected to confirmatory test to give them due process before penalty or sanctions against them are handed down.

Likewise, all of 132 bus drivers at the Ceres Bus Terminal in Dumaguete City in Negros Oriental had no illegal drug residue in their urine samples.

“Dubbed as Oplan Huli Week, this is simultaneously done nationwide to ensure travelers’ safety this Holy Week,” Getalla said.

PDEA-7 partnered with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, Land Transportation Office, Department of Health-7, Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council and the provincial governments of Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental in the conduct of the simultaneous drug tests in Central Visayas.

The provincial governments of Cebu, Bohol, and Negros Oriental provided PDEA-7 with drug testing kits, Getalla noted.

Those who were found positive of drug use in the tests are facing sanctions under Republic Act 10586, the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013. (PNA)