4 PUV drivers in Iloilo City test positive for drug use

Four public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers in Iloilo City tested positive for the use of illegal drugs during surprise tests spearheaded by the Land Transportation Office (LTO-6) on Tuesday, April 16.

Those who tested positive were two modernized jeepney drivers, a taxi driver and a tricycle driver. They will undergo confirmatory tests by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).

The four were among the 156 PUV drivers who were subjected to surprise drug tests conducted at transport terminals in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro district and Barangay Mohon in Arevalo district.

LTO-6 Director Gaudioso Geduspan II said the conduct of surprise drug tests, under Oplan Harabas, was “part of a broader effort to reduce road crashes linked to drivers under the influence of dangerous drugs.”

“Despite intensified enforcement efforts, the Philippines still records an average of 12,000 road crash fatalities each year, with approximately 500 of these occurring in Western Visayas alone,” he noted.IMT