Capitol wants dispatchers, porters tested for drugs

CEBU, Philippines- To ensure the safety of passengers taking the bus, the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC) wants to subject all dispatchers and porters at the Cebu South Bus Terminal (CSBT) to a drug test.

“If they are employees of bus companies, we can force them to undergo drug test,” said CPADAC chief Joey Hererra.

Herrera, however, said only those employees of bus companies, which have buses that use the CSBT, may be required to undergo the said test.

Each bus line is allowed four dispatchers, while several porters are working at the CSBT.

The drug testing is “to ensure the safety of the riding public,” said Herrera.

He noted that drivers are made to undergo the same test as required by the Land Transportation Office, but it is also important that their partners, the dispatchers and porters, be made to undergo the same.

Reports have surfaced that several dispatchers are being utilized as drug couriers, considering they are mobile and oftentimes not subjected to frisking at checkpoints. This, being the case, Herrera said the reports can be verified through proper testing.

Herrera said CPADAC can partner with LTO by providing the agency with drug testing kits for the tests for bus drivers.

The provincial government, through CPADAC, has since implemented aggressive drug testing among Capitol employees and local government units with the ultimate goal of freeing government offices of drug users.

The CSBT is owned an operated by the province.  (FREEMAN)