LTO-7 eyes regular random alcohol tests

CEBU, Philippines — To strictly enforce traffic laws and prevent road accidents linked to drunk driving, the Land Transportation Office-7 is considering the regular implementation of random alcohol testing on public roads after Holy Week.

The move follows a pilot run conducted on the night of March 28 across several areas in Cebu City as part of the stricter enforcement of Republic Act No. 10586, Republic Act No. 4136, and other traffic regulations, while also boosting the agency’s visibility on the ground.

At least nine motorists were arrested during the operation after testing positive for alcohol intoxication using breathalyzers. They were turned over to the Cebu City Police Office Traffic Enforcement Unit, where they are currently detained and facing charges for violations of the said laws. Their motorcycles were impounded at the LTO Talisay District Office.

In the same operation, a total of 73 motorists were issued Temporary Operator’s Permits for various violations, including unregistered vehicles, drunk driving, and seatbelt and helmet infractions.

Citing the results of the pilot test, LTO-7 Regional Director Wendel Dinglasan said similar operations will be conducted regularly, particularly at night when drinking activities are more common.

“Siguro by after ng Holy Week, mag-start na kami. Hihintayin ko lang yung feedback ng mga enforcers kung ano yung mga araw marami talagang nag-iinom at kapag nakuha ko yung record doon kami mag-strategize starting next week kung anong araw kami mag e-enforce,” Dinglasan said in an interview on March 31.

“But definitely, we cannot say to the public kung anong mga araw ‘yan syempre,” he added, noting that the operations will be carried out as surprise checks.

Dinglasan said the agency will initially focus on major cities in Metro Cebu, where vehicle volume is high and drinking establishments such as bars and clubs are concentrated.

He also disclosed that LTO-7 recently received 10 additional breathalyzers from the central office, which will be distributed to various police units to expand enforcement across the region.

Despite this, Dinglasan admitted that the agency’s current inventory of at least 14 breathalyzers remains insufficient, especially with plans to widen operations to other provinces. He assured, however, that coordination with the central office is ongoing as the agency awaits the final evaluation of the pilot test.

The regional director clarified that the random alcohol testing will not be limited to motorcycle riders but will also cover drivers of private vehicles, heavy trucks, and public utility vehicles.

“Hindi tayo mag fo-focus sa motorcycles lang kasi ang sinasabi ng mga tao the enforcement focuses on our motorcycle riders lang (pero) hindi po totoo ‘yan,” he said. “Lahat ‘yan pantay-pantay from two wheels, four wheels, (and) to trucks. Babantayan namin lahat, even public utility vehicles.”

He stressed that motorists caught driving under the influence will face automatic license revocation, with no second chances.

“If they are given the second chance, paano yung mga taong naaksidente (o) namatay (at) hindi nabigyan ng second chance because of their attitude,” Dinglasan said.

“We cannot compromise road safety. It would be a disservice to the public kung hahayaan kong bigyan sila ng second chance,” he added.

Meanwhile, LTO-7 will also issue show cause orders to nine public utility drivers who tested positive in a surprise drug test conducted earlier this week at Cebu’s two major bus terminals.

The drivers—eight bus drivers and one taxi driver—were among 412 transport workers, including conductors, who underwent urine drug testing led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 at the Cebu South Bus Terminal and Cebu North Bus Terminal on March 30.

On March 31, PDEA-7 confirmed that the nine drivers again tested positive in confirmatory tests.

Dinglasan said the drivers will be issued show cause orders next week and will be recommended for automatic license revocation. He added that their respective employers will also be required to explain.

“Iisyuhan din sila ng show cause order kung bakit may mga drivers na nag-positive,” he said.

“They should be exercising due diligence sa selection at supervision ng kanilang employees,” he added, emphasizing the shared responsibility of transport companies and their personnel. — /FPL (FREEMAN)