• RICHARD T. CABALLERO JR.
A 57-year-old driver plying the Shopping–La Salle–Libertad route has failed a random drug testing conducted by the Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR), together with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and the Highway Patrol Group.
The random and surprise drug test dubbed “Oplan Harabas” was conducted at the Bacolod South Terminal yesterday.
Jeck Conlu, LTO-NIR Director, said that a total of 101 Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) drivers, conductors and Ceres bus personnel underwent drug testing, with one of the PUV drivers tested positive for drug usage.
As a sanction, his driver’s license was temporarily confiscated, and he is scheduled to undergo a mandatory confirmatory drug test in accordance with the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.
Conlu emphasized that Oplan Harabas is aimed at preventing impaired driving and ensuring the safety of commuters, urging transport operators to remain vigilant in monitoring their drivers and personnel.
The operation was carried out after the agency’s expectations that the daily rush of commuters will come to normal as the holiday season ends.
LTO-NIR reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining enforcement operations to promote discipline among drivers and protect the riding public.*
