THE Land Transportation Office (LTO) 7 announced that starting Friday, Nov. 27, 2020, a drug test is no longer required in getting a driver’s or conductor’s license in all of LTO 7’s offices.
Victor Caindec, LTO 7 director, said this is a huge development on the part of the LTO since only LTO 7 still requires drug testing in the application of new driver’s license and the renewal of driver’s licenses.
Caindec said the memorandum from the office of Transportation Assistant Sec. Edgar Galvante was dated Nov. 11 but it was only on Thursday, Nov. 26 when they were given a copy of the memo.
It is a big development for us. We think it is an important news for Region 7 kay whether we like it or not, it is an additional cost,” he said.
The memorandum said given the finality of the Court of Appeals (CA) decision dated March 9, 2020, all are directed to cease and desist from requiring driver’s/conductor’s license applicants in Region 7 to undergo the mandatory drug testing.
In 2018, the CA 19th Division reversed and set aside the decision of the Regional Trial Court which enjoined the LTO and DOTr (then Department of Transportation and Communications) to comply with the mandatory drug testing, a requirement under Section 36 (a) of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.
The RA 10586 or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013” repeals Section 36 (a) of RA 9165, thus revokes the requirement of mandatory drug testing for the issuance or renewal of driver's license./WBS