MANILA, Philippines- Nakatakdang magsagawa ang Land Transportation Office (LTO) ng mass drug testing at roadworthiness inspections ng public utility vehicles (PUVs) sa buong bansa kasunod ng road crash sa Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) kung saan 10 indibidwal ang namatay.
“We understand the concerns of our kababayan on this matter that is why the mass drug testing and mass inspection of buses of the Solid North will be replicated to other companies and operators, across the country,” pahayag ni LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II.
Sinabi rin ng LTO na inatasan ang Regional Directors na makipag-ugnayan sa Philippine Enforcement Agency (PDEA) para sa pagsasagawa ng surprise, random, at mandatory drug testing para sa lahat ng PUV drivers—mula motorcycle taxi riders hanggang bus at truck drivers.
Samantala, nagsagawa na ang LTO ng mandatory drug testing sa kabuuang 740 driver at konduktor ng Solid North Transit sa terminal at opisina nito sa Cubao, Quezon City.
“The instruction of (Department of Transportation) Secretary Vince (Dizon) is clear, we have to make sure that all their drivers and conductors are drug free before they are allowed to operate,” ani Mendoza.
Ayon kay Mendoza, kapag tumanggi ang driver na sumailalim sa drug tests ay maaari itong magsilbing basehan ng aksyon ng LTO. RNT/SA
