300 Ceres bus drivers pass driving, drug tests

CEBU, Philippines —  All 300 Ceres bus drivers in the north have passed both the drug test and driving test required by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board following a spate of fatal road accidents involving Ceres buses.

LTFRB-7 director Eduardo Montealto announced the result yesterday.

“Walay nag positive sa illegal drugs ug pasar pud sila tanan sa driver’s examinations. Kay kani gud ilang nga drivers sa Ceres kay pulos man ni mga professional drivers,” Montealto said.

Montealto ordered the drug test and refresher course for the drivers of Ceres buses following the series of accidents last month that killed at least three people and injured several others.

On October 25, one of the Ceres buses plying the city in lieu of the traditional public utility jeepneys collided with a private ambulance. More accidents followed after on October 29 and 30 which resulted in the deaths of two cyclists.

The LTFRB-7 has already suspended for 30 days the drivers involved. A show-cause order was also issued to Vallacar Transit, the company operating the Ceres buses.

Yesterday, just as the LTFRB announced the results of the drug test and driving test, another Ceres bus figured in an accident in Catmon town. Montealto said that based on the initial report he received, a motorcycle rider was injured in the accident.

Montealto said the LTFRB will take action on the latest accident as soon as he gets a formal report from the police. — FPL (FREEMAN)