DOTC inspects 45 buses, drivers

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

THE Department of Transportation and Communications (DTOC) conducted strict checks of buses departing from major terminals to ensure the safety and convenience of travelers returning from their holiday breaks.

In Bacolod, the DOTC said that 45 buses were inspected at the north terminal while 24 drivers underwent a voluntary drug testing, yielding negative results. The activity was in line with the agency’s Oplan: Ligtas na Krismas from December 21-23 and January 2-3, 2012.

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The oplan tasked the 19 attached agencies of DOTC to tighten security in all land, air and sea ports “to ensure that people are provided with safe, affordable and reliable transportation where they need it and when they need it,” DOTC Secretary Mar Roxas earlier explained. “We will continue with this program during the other holiday breaks when people travel in large numbers.”

In Iloilo, 54 buses were inspected and 10 drivers drug-tested, also yielding negative results. Another 202 drivers of 68 buses were also inspected from December 21-23 in Cebu, with two yielding positive results for drugs. In Metro Manila, the Land Transportation Office (LTO) inspected 72 buses and tested 67 drivers, one of whom was also found to be positive for drugs.

“Bus drivers found to be positive for prohibited drugs have been slapped with corresponding legal fines, their licenses confiscated and turned over to the proper government agency for processing,” Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) chairman James Jacob was quoted as saying.

The LTO and LTFRB partnered with various bus companies and the Pro Convenient Services Drivers’ License Renewal Center and Drug Testing Laboratory Owners’ Association Inc., the umbrella organization that administers drug testing, for the smooth and efficient implementation of the oplan.

Meanwhile, the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (Caap) set up DOTC/Caap help desks in 20 airports, including here, to assist the heavy volume of passengers flying off to various destinations while the Office for Transportation Security deployed 48 K9 explosive sniffing dogs and teams, including eight backup teams, to randomly screen baggage being loaded into aircrafts, buses, trains and passenger ships.

The Philippine Coast Guard, through its Passenger Assistance Center, also closely monitored all port terminals to ensure the safety and security of the sea-riding public in coordination with the Philippine Ports Authority and various shipping companies, Roxas said.