PDEA CONDUCTS SIMULTANEOUS DRUG TEST TO PUBLIC TRANSPORT DRIVERS NATIONWIDE

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) today, (Friday, March 29, 2019) conducted simultaneous surprise mandatory drug test to drivers of public transport nationwide.

PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino said the drug test, dubbed OPLAN HARABAS “Drug Test Muna Bago Pasada,” was conducted in the different terminals of public transportation nationwide as part of PDEA’s holistic approach in its harm reduction program to monitor public transportation drivers under the influence of illegal drugs.

PDEA conducted the pilot implementation in Pasay City public transportation terminals that was simultaneously executed in all regions across the country.
The terminals are Pasay City JeepneyTerminal, Pasay City UV and Jeepney Terminal, Mall of Asia Terminal (UV, Multicab, Jeep and Taxi), AJODA Nichols Terminal, Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal, three tricycle terminals (DCRTODA, MATODA, and DCVTODA), and other 49 terminals nationwide.

While in Cebu drug testing of drivers of jeepneys and vans-for-hire at the Kamagayan V-Hire Terminal in Cebu City, North Bus Terminal and Ayala PUV Terminal at the Cebu Business Park, were also conducted by PDEA Region 7,LTO and PNP personnels in the region.

“The drug test is part of ‘OPLAN HARABAS’, that aims to ensure the safety of passengers through the conduct of surprise mandatory drug testing to public utility transport drivers. The driver who refuses to undergo the mandatory drug test will be reported and immediately endorsed to the Land Transportation Office,” Aquino said.

“The safety of the riding public is our primary concern and this program will serve as our re-validation effort on the alleged illegal drug use by drivers of public transportation. At the same time, promote a drug-free public transport system all over the country,” the PDEA chief pointed out.

“PDEA as the lead agency in the national anti-drug campaign, has an innate responsibility to undertake measures to prevent drivers from being a cause of road traffic accidents,” Aquino added.

Drivers who are under the influence of illegal drugs have been blamed for the increasing number of road traffic accidents. Based on PDEA’s data monitoring from January 2018 to January 2019, 3,654 drivers, bus conductors, and dispatchers were arrested for violation of RA 9165, or The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. In the second semester of 2018, 1,902 of them were arrested, an increase of 37{481076ee53a1fc97de0369f33ed2e92f10b25aa7745daa7b1993dd39620a4254} from the 1,386 arrests in the first semester.

Aquino said the drug test program is a product of coordination among different government agencies such as Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), Philippine National Police (PNP), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Land transportation Office (LTO), Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA), Metro Manila Development Authority (MMDA), Local Government Units- Business Permit and Licensing Office (LGU-BPLO) and other stakeholders.
PDEA in coordination with LTO and LTFRB also conducted a surprise mandatory drug testing nationwide last October 29, 2018 under OPLAN UNDASPOT where 10 bus drivers and two conductors were found positive for illegal drugs./PDEA7