LTO, LTFRB to conduct drug testing of bus drivers before Christmas exodus
MANILA, Philippines—The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) are set to conduct free drug-testing of bus drivers as more people begin to travel for the Christmas holidays, the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) said in a statement.
The massive volume of people from the cities going to the provinces for the holidays has become a common sight in the Christmas season.
“It’s the time of the year when [Filipino] families reunite and enjoy the spirit of Christmas,” DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas said in a statement released Tuesday.
“We want to ensure that our people can travel back to their respective hometowns and be with their loved ones safely,” Roxas said.
The random drug testing will be conducted by LTO and LTFRB officials at key “bus terminals in Cubao, Pasay, and Sampaloc, all in Manila, North Terminal in Bacolod City, and South Bus Terminal along Bacalso Ave, Cebu City, where there will be the heaviest local passenger traffic during the Christmas break,” DOTC said.
The bus operators in Manila who agreed to the drug testing were Victory Liner, Five Star, Florida Transit, St Christopher, Tawtransco, Megabus, Bragais, Amihan Lines, Belleza Lines, ELLAVIL, Mark & Eves, Gasat, Ultrabus, Dimplestar, Silverstar, JVH, Alps, RORO bus, Antonina Lines, RSL, Ceres, Cagsawa, CUL Transits, Goldines, Executive Carriers, Bea Liner, and Eagle Star.
The bus operators in the other parts of the country who agreed were Ceres Liner, Vallacar, Cebu Autobus Corp., Jerel Transport Corp., Librado Trans Inc, and Rough Riders.
The random drug testing will begin Wednesday, December 21, up to December 23 “when the volume of holiday travellers is expected to swell at bus terminals,” DOTC said.
“Similar drug testing campaigns will also be done from January 2-3, 2012 to ensure that travellers return home safely,” DOTC said.
The random drug testing is part of DOTC’s “Oplan Ligtas na Krismas,” that aims to ensure the safety of passengers. DOTC previously launched a similar campaign during the All-souls day and All-saints day break called “Oplan Ligtas na Undas.”
“’Ligtas na Krismas’ is a key part of our efforts to ensure that people are provided with safe, affordable, and reliable transportation where they need it, and when they need it,” Roxas said in their statement.
“We will continue with this program during the other holiday breaks when people travel in large numbers such as the observance of Holy Week next year,” he said.
In a meeting held the previous week, Roxas had ordered the DOTC’s 19 attached agencies “to roll out creative and effective programs to ensure the safe travel [of people], whether by land, air or sea transport,” the DOTC statement said.
