Bacolod City: Officials in this city welcomed the directive of Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon to require regular and mandatory drug tests for public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers as part of a nationwide road safety plan.
According to Philippines News Agency, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez expressed support for the directive from the Department of Transportation (DOTr), emphasizing that for the drug test to be effective, it should be unannounced. Councilor Al Victor Espino, chairperson of the committee on transportation and traffic management, stated that it is the right time to implement regular and mandatory drug tests for PUV drivers, acknowledging the DOTr’s mandate.
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. has instructed Secretary Dizon to address the recent spate of fatal road crashes by implementing measures to enhance road safety. Alongside the mandatory drug tests, the DOTr chief has ordered the reduction of driving hours for public utility bus drivers from six to four hours. Other measures include strict enforcement of road safety checks for all vehicles, the immediate implementation of the speed limiter law, and a 90-day suspension for abusive motorists as reported by concerned citizens.
In an official statement, the DOTr announced that Department Order 2025-008 emphasizes the government’s commitment to implementing a stricter road safety plan nationwide. The order mandates that PUV drivers, including motorcycle taxi riders, undergo regular mandatory drug testing before employment, with the testing costs to be borne by the operators and owners of the vehicles.
