- 2 Davao taxi drivers fail mandatory PDEA testing
TWO TAXI drivers in Davao City tested positive in the random drug test by the Land Transportation Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency covering public utility vehicles on Tuesday, March 26.
This was confirmed by PDEA XI regional director Naravy Duquiatan in a phone interview on Tuesday afternoon.
She said the two taxi drivers were operating at the Gaisano Mall terminal. The mandatory testing also caught a bus driver from the Tagum City terminal.
Duquiatan clarified that the Land Transportation Office Region XI (LTO XI) will be responsible for releasing the official statement regarding the driver’s licenses and any potential penalties.
The initiative, dubbed “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos! Semana Santa 2024 – Oplan Harabas,” was spearheaded by PDEA XI director Naravy Duquiatan, partnered with various agencies: Land Transportation Office XI director Neil Cañedo, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board XI – Engr. Mary Jean, Jaralba, Department of Health XI, Highway Patrol Group, Davao City Police Office, and Local government units of Davao, Digos, and Tagum City.
The simultaneous drug testing operation began at 6 a.m. It targeted drivers of buses, vans, and taxis at key locations in Davao City Overland Transport Terminal, Tagum City Overland Transport Terminal, Digos City New Satellite Bus Terminal, Gaisano Mall Transport Terminal, and Venus Transport Service Cooperative.
In addition to drug testing, K-9 sweeping/paneling was conducted to enhance security measures.
PDEA XI’s personnel of the Preventive Education and Community Involvement Section (PECIS) and Gender and Development (GAD) focal person were present to offer counseling and health interventions for drivers who test positive.
Duquiatan emphasized the driver’s licenses of the suspects would be confiscated. They must also undergo a rehabilitation program before regaining their licenses.
Oplan Harabas is grounded on Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002) and Republic Act 10856 (Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013).
