TWO drivers and two conductors of public utility buses at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) "tested positive" for drugs during the random and surprise drug test conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA)-Davao.
"Sa DCOTT, duha ka driver ug duha ka konduktor ang nag-positive, but still hulaton pa sab nato ang confirmatory results para mao unya atong gamiton sa pag-file nga mamahimo na silang mo-undergo sa rehab (At DCOTT, two drivers and two conductors tested positive but we will still have to wait for the confirmatory results that would be the basis before they could proceed to undergo rehab)," PDEA-Davao legal counsel Joseph Tesiorna said in a phone interview with SuperBalita Davao Monday, October 28.
He said a taxi driver from the Francisco Bangoy International tested positive for alcoholic drinks.
Tesiorna said they are going to inform the operators who tested positive for proper rehabilitation measures.
The drug test was done in coordination with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB)-Davao in line with the Oplan Biyaheng Ayos Undas 2019 to ensure safe travels for passengers.
"Mas maayo kini, aron kampante mi nga mga pasahero. Lisud kaayo kung naka-drugs ang drayber o ang konduktor, naa sa drayber naka-angkla among kinabuhi (This is good so we can also be assured of our safety as passengers. It is so difficult to depend our lives to the drivers or the conductors who are on drugs)," said Marcelo Yosores, 58, who was on his way home to Malita, Davao Occidental, aboard an ACFB Bus Monday, October 28.
According to driver Hernacio Sumaliling, 55, from Calumpang, General Santos City, the drug testing is a privilege to ensure that all passengers are safe.
"Prebilihiyo kaayo ni sa amoang mga drayber, para luwas gyud ang pasahero, ug ika-sure namo sa ilaha nga wala gyud mi ga-bisyo (It is a privilege for us drivers so we can assure the passengers of their safety and also so we can show them that we don't have vices)," Sumaliling told SuperBalita Davao.