AUTHORITIES intensified on-the-spot drug tests and inspected the roadworthiness of public utility vehicles (PUV) in various bus terminals in the Cordillera region ahead of the expected influx of passengers for the weekend holiday.
The agencies that took part in the operation were the Land Transportation Office (LTO) together with the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Highway Patrol Group (HPG), Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Baguio City Police Office (BCPO).
Francis Almora, LTO – Cordillera director, said the different government agencies will operate from October 28 until November 5 in terminals across the region.
“Oplan Harabas on-the-spot drug testing for drivers and conductors is being conducted by the PDEA. On the side of roadworthiness, we have the Land Transportation Office and Highway Patrol Group. This aside from additional security forces coming from the Baguio City Police Office and the barangay officials who will provide linkages and coordination so each of us are tasked with such duties to ensure the safety of our riding public,” Almora said.
Under Oplan Harabas, drivers and bus helpers will undergo a drug test, during which their licenses are surrendered to LTO representatives while their identities are indicated in the forms matching their samples.
If found positive following the results of the confirmatory tests by PDEA, their licenses would be withheld. It will also be PDEA that will clear those who will test negative.
Almora said that although the riding public may experience a delay in their travel, this will ensure the safety, primarily of the PUVs and the physical and mental dispositions of the drivers and conductors.
“We have been conducting terminal or garage inspections previous to this but we still continue to follow and ensure that they are really complying with the requirements specially these buses which are not stationary here but moves around,” Almora said.
Meanwhile, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has ordered the activation of Malasakit Help Desks (MHDs) at all transport hubs throughout the country.
The directive is in line with the conduct of "Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2019," which will provide the public with assistance during their annual trek to the provinces from October 25, 2019 to November 4, 2019 in observance of the All Saints’ Day on November 1 and All Souls’ Day on November 2.
Assistance ranges from handling transport-related inquiries, complaints, and requests for assistance such as TNVS/taxi booking; facilitating refund of terminal fees; providing attestation of cause of trip cancellation or delays; delivering emergency medical assistance; to accepting reports of possible security threats, among others.
“On the part of the LTO we have our ‘Malasakit’ desk which is a requirement of Secretary Arthur Tugade and here in the Cordillera, LTO and LTFRB will be manning these desks which will provide a one-stop-shop regarding DOTR concerns like public land transport which they can forward to the ‘Malasakit’ desks,” Almora said.