A group of bus operators called on the government to conduct surprise drug tests instead of regular drug testing to remove drivers who use illegal drugs.
Provincial Bus Operators Association executive director Alex Yague said that regular drug testing won’t be of help to eliminate PUV drivers that consume or use illegal drugs.
“Dapat ‘yan surprise palagi para mahuli natin kung sino yung gumagamit ng bawal na gamot,” he told TeleRadyo Serbisyo.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) mandated the regular drug testing after a series of unfortunate incidents occurred. A collision of multiple vehicles that took away multiple lives at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) and the ramming incident that took place at the departure area at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA).
Transport group PISTON and a number of lawmakers questioned the order and called it an added burden to drivers and a “money-making scheme.”
In addition, Yague questioned the proposal to change the consecutive driving hours for drivers from 6 hours to 4 hours instead, and argued that they should factor in the traffic.
“Pag-aalis ka dito sa mga terminal dito sa Metro Manila, minsan aabutin ka ng 1 or 2 oras matatraffic ka. ‘Yung 4 na oras maaring maging hindi practical yan kasi napaka-traffic ng mga kalsada. Mag-aapela kami,” he said.