THREE taxi drivers tested positive of illegal drugs during the conduct of Oplan Harabas, a nationwide drug testing for public utility vehicle drivers led by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Davao, at Francisco Bangoy International Airport on Friday, March 29.
In an interview with PDEA-Davao director Antonio Rivera, a total of 297 drivers submitted urine samples for the surprise mandatory drug testing and the three individuals who were initially tested positive will undergo confirmatory test to validate the result.
PDEA targets the drivers of public utility vehicles to ensure that they are in good shape to avoid vehicular accidents due to influence of illegal drugs.
“This is the program of our Director General Aaron Aquino for all the drivers and the transport sector. It is part of PDEA’s harm-reduction program. Meaning it is part of our information dissemination to warn the public not to engage in illegal drug especially the drivers to ensure the safety of the commuters,” Rivera said.
He added that this is the second time that they conducted this activity. It can be recalled last year, they held similar drug testing at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) targeting bus and public utility jeepney drivers.
Rivera added that they chose to conduct the drug testing at the airport considering that this is where drivers flock to fetch passengers.
Aside from this, he assured that more drug testing will be done region-wide as part of the government’s intensified campaign against illegal drugs.
Oplan Harabas is a program in cooperation with the Philippine National Police, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), National Bureau of Investigation, Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, Department of Health, and Land Transportation Office (LTO).
Meanwhile, the names of the drivers have been submitted to LTO and LTFRB for possible sanction, which might include the revocation of their driver’s license.