CEBU, Philippines - Seventeen out of 84 public utility drivers were found positive of using illegal drugs during a roadside random drug testing conducted by the Land Transportation Office-7 yesterday morning in Lapu-Lapu City.
“This is alarming for road users in the area,†said LTO-7 Regional Director Raul Aguilos.
Aguilos said the 17 drivers tested positive for using shabu, a known upper or a drug that promotes physical activity.
The driver’s licenses of the violators were confiscated and will only be returned to them after six months and if they show proof that they have undergone drug rehabilitation. The violators also have to pay a P10,000 fine.
Aguilos said that the drug testing yesterday was part of the Oplan Ligtas Biyahe: Balik Eskwela 2013 program.
Aside from the random drug testing, LTO-7 also conducted a random check-up on public utility vehicles to ensure their compliance in giving a 20-percent discount to all student passengers in the city.
LTO-7 is now partnering with several business establishments for the latter’s road safety program.
Aguilos has said that other establishments are focusing on defensive driving seminars and other road safety seminars envisioned to develop road safety consciousness in their environment and workplaces.
In another random drug testing in the southern part of Cebu, 11 out of 180 mini-bus and multicab drivers also tested positive of using illegal drugs.
The testing is aimed at weeding out drug users from public utility drivers and to prevent road accidents caused by drug abuse.
Under Section 36, Article 2 of the Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, it mandated all drivers applying for license or renewal of license have to undergo drug tests.
However, since a driver’s license is valid for three years, a random drug tests is made in between. — /BRP (FREEMAN)