Philippines: Drug test every 3 months ordered for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers
Manila: In a major policy shift, the Department of Transportation (DoTr) has mandated quarterly drug testing for all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and reduced their maximum continuous driving hours from six to four.
The new directives were issued through a series of department orders signed on Monday by Philippine Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, following a spate of deadly accidents involving PUVs.
The move, according to Dizon, is part of a broader initiative to restore public confidence in road safety.
'Today, I signed a department order mandating drug testing for all drivers of public conveyance vehicles. That means all public utility vehicle drivers are required to undergo mandatory drug testing,' Dizon announced during a media briefing.
Replacement drivers
In addition to the drug testing requirement, the policy now requires replacement drivers — not conductors — to take over during trips that exceed four hours.
The DoTr's attached agencies — the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) — have also been directed to coordinate efforts in enforcing stricter roadworthiness inspections and enhancing driver training programs.
'People do not feel safe on our streets — that is the reality, the sad reality. And I've been directed by the President to fix it,' Dizon said.
'Let's not fool ourselves — we all know that roadworthiness checks here aren't really being done properly.'
NAIA crash
The department is also moving to investigate the online circulation of CCTV footage from a recent crash near Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1, which left two people dead and four others injured.
Authorities have been instructed to review the social media accounts of those who posted videos of the incident, which involved a car crashing into a crowd near the terminal entrance.
'Don't take advantage of our fellow citizens' tragedies by posting videos of those tragedies online just to earn money or get a scoop,' Dizon said in a Facebook post.
SCTEX tragedy
The crackdown follows a deadly multi-vehicle pileup on the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) on May 1, which claimed 12 lives and injured at least 27 others.
The LTFRB has since announced that ₱400,000 in financial aid will be provided to the families of each deceased victim.
As a result of the SCTEX crash, the LTFRB has imposed a 30-day suspension on Dagupan Bus Co., whose unit, operated by its subsidiary Solid North Transit Inc., was involved in the collision at the toll plaza.
Dagupan Bus Co. is now under the ownership of JAC Liner Inc.
President vows reforms
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. also to implement reforms in the country's transport system and ensure accountability for recent tragic vehicular accidents.
In a video message posted on social media, President Marcos expressed sympathy to the families of those who died and were injured in the recent tragedies at the Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX) toll plaza and Ninoy Aquino International Airport (NAIA) Terminal 1.
'Ten lives were lost in a devastating collision in Tarlac. Days later, two more—one of them a child—were taken in a tragic accident at the airport. These incidents should never have happened,' President Marcos said.
'We will make the changes that need to be made. We will demand accountability where it is due. And we will build a transport system that truly protects Filipino people.'
Nationwide audit to ensure compliance
The president also vowed to implement reforms that will better safeguard the lives of commuters and travelers.
Among the reforms are a thorough review of the driver licensing system to ensure that only fit, capable, and responsible individuals are allowed on the roads, and a nationwide audit of bus operators to ensure compliance with safety and maintenance standards.
Senate Support
Senate Deputy Majority Leader Joseph Victor 'JV' Ejercito expressed support for the new DoTr policies, recalling his authorship of the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016 (Republic Act 10916) during the 16th Congress.
'The spirit of that law is clear: the safety of our people must always come first, and that we must take proactive and preventive action to avoid speed-related tragedies,' Ejercito said.
The latest DoTr directives mark one of the most aggressive responses by the government in recent years to address public concern over transportation safety.
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