Random drug test for drivers in North Cotabato ordered

KIDAPAWAN CITY — Authorities will soon start imposing in North Cotabato province an ordinance subjecting drivers to random drug testing along highways, something first in Mindanao.

 

The Provincial Ordinance No. 2017-003, authored by Socrates Piñol, was unanimously approved this week by the North Cotabato Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), chaired by Vice Gov. Shirlyn Macasarte-Villanueva.

 

Piñol, a first-term SP member, said Thursday the ordinance will be enforced as “community initiative” by the provincial government, the police, local government units, the Land Transportation Office and the Land Transportation Regulatory and Franchising Board.

 

“There were extensive consultations with local sectors while we studied and deliberated on the ordinance,” Piñol said.

 

Piñol said the provincial ordinance is in support of the Republic Act 10586 (RA 10586) also known as the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.

 

RA 10586, which effectively outlawed driving under the influence of alcohol and narcotics, was jointly enacted into law by the House of Representatives and Senate on May 27, 2013.

 

“We don’t see any question on the constitutionality of the North Cotabato provincial ordinance 2017-003,” Piñol said.

 

The ordinance was co-authored by North Cotabato SP members Kelly Antao and Dulia Sultan. Antao, an ethnic Maguindanaon, is critically vocal against reckless drivers of passenger and private vehicles plying the highways in North Cotabato.

 

Piñol said the 17 municipal mayors in North Cotabato and local officials in the provincial capital, Kidapawan City, need to support the enforcement of the ordinance, meant to preclude road accidents.

 

The ordinance, which will be enforced within the month, shall subject drivers of buses, smaller public transportations and private vehicles to random drug testing while anywhere in the province.

 

Superintendent Romeo Galgo Jr., spokesman of the Police Regional Office-12 (PRO-12) in General Santos City, said they are still waiting for a copy of the ordinance for review by lawyers in their ranks.

 

The North Cotabato provincial police office is under PRO-12, which also covers the central Mindanao provinces of Sultan Kudarat, South Cotabato, Sarangani and the cities of Cotabato, Kidapawan, Koronadal, Tacurong and General Santos.

 

“The PRO-12 is always ready to help implement municipal and provincial ordinances in towns and provinces within its jurisdiction,” Galgo said.

 

Galgo said there are two officer-lawyers in PRO-12, Superintendent Arnold Barcenilla and Chief Inspector Adriel Gran, who can study how the North Cotabato police can best support the enforcement of the newly approved ordinance provincial board members Piñol, Sultan and Antao had jointly authored.