A DAVAO City public utility jeepney (PUJ) driver tested positive for illegal drugs during a surprise random drug test as part of "Oplan Undaspot."
Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Davao regional office (PDEA-11) information officer Noli Nephi Dimaandal said that as of 3:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 31, a total of 194 individuals have been subjected to random drug test in identified terminals.
He had no information on the identity of the jeepney driver who tested positive. He said the Land Transportation Office (LTO) might penalize the driver.
The PDEA regional office started its three-day campaign under Oplan Undaspot on October 29 at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT), where 35 drivers underwent a drug test.
Drug tests were also conducted on 47 drivers at the Southern Mindanao Transport Terminal Inc. (SMTTI) Terminal, SM City Davao; and 10 drivers at Venus transport terminal.
Last Monday, October 29, the office also conducted a drug test on 20 employees of Maywess.
During the last day of the campaign on October 31, a total of 50 PUJ drivers were tested at DCRC, another 22 at DCOTT and 10 at Victoria Plaza terminal.
Oplan Undaspot seeks to ensure, among others, that all public utility vehicle drivers are drug-free when they ferry passengers during All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day.
PDEA also distributed information, education and communication (IEC) materials and hiring materials for those who would want to join PDEA during the activity.
There were some 2,000 drivers who joined the Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) Drivers Academy at DCRC that aimed to educate the drivers on the policies of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) to ensure the safety of travelers during the All Souls’ Day weekend.
PDEA 11 Regional Director Antonio Rivera said that a drug test is one of the requirements of the LTFRB.
He said it was their first time to conduct this and they intend to implement this yearly.