In Cavite, drug-free drivers get stickers

Soon, stickers like this will be seen on public utility vehicles in Rosario town, Cavite province, to mark drug-free drivers. This campaign follows a police program that identifies drug-free homes in Calabarzon region (right photo). —CONTRIBUTED PHOTOS

After drug-free homes, here come drug-free drivers.

The local government and the police in Rosario town in Cavite province will start issuing stickers to public utility vehicles (PUV) to identify drivers who are not involved in the illegal drug trade or may have had any criminal record.

Chief Insp. Mark Joseph Laygo, town police chief, said the project was in line with the antinarcotics campaign of the Calabarzon (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal and Quezon) police, which earlier started issuing “drug-free home” stickers to households in the region.

Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, regional police spokesperson, said the police had posted 33,902 “drug-free” stickers on houses since the regional campaign was launched last year.

‘Lodi’ drivers

“We thought of doing the same with the transport sector. If the drivers are drug-free, we ensure the safety of commuters,” Laygo said.

In a statement on Monday, the Rosario government said the local program would be a “nonviolent approach” to the illegal drug problem.

The town government said the idea was to promote safe travel, minimize road accidents, and improve crime reporting through the help of PUV drivers.

Laygo said the police on Wednesday would begin screening tricycle and pedicab drivers, and check if they have criminal records.

Drivers will also be required to undergo drug testing before they are issued stickers or their franchises renewed by the local government.

Fernan Garcia, head of Rosario government’s transport office, said the stickers would read, “Ang lodi kong driver ay drug free forever,” (My idol driver is drug-free forever) taking off from the popular catchphrase, “Basta driver, sweet lover.”