SURPRISE DRUG TEST. A surprise drug test for drivers and passenger assistance officers during the Oplan: Harabas at the Tagbak Terminal in Barangay Tagbak in Jaro district on Friday (Oct. 4, 2024). The Oplan covers five transport terminals and one airport in Iloilo, and “out of 337 tests performed, one returned positive for the presence of illegal drug use,” according to the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency. (Photo courtesy of PDEA VI)
ILOILO CITY – A passenger assistance officer tested positive for illegal drug use during the Oplan: “Harabas” of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Land Transportation Office as lead agencies on Friday.
“A total of 236 drivers, 99 conductors, and two dispatchers were subjected to the drug tests. Out of the 337 tests performed, one returned positive for the presence of illegal drug use,” said the PDEA statement.
The specimen positive for illegal use will undergo a confirmatory test to verify the initial positive result.
The half-day activity covered four transport terminals in Iloilo City, including the Ceres Terminal in Barangay Camalig and Tagbak Terminal in Barangay Tagbak, both in Jaro district, Mohon Terminal in Arevalo district, and the Aleosan Transport Terminal in Mandurriao district.
It also visited the Ungka Terminal in Barangay Ungka II, Pavia, and the Iloilo International Airport in Cabatuan, all in Iloilo province.
“The Oplan conducted surprise drug tests on public transport drivers and conductors in five transport terminals and at the Iloilo airport as a strategy of PDEA to reduce drug demand, promote drug-free workplaces, and improve road safety,” said PDEA RO VI Acting Regional Director Melvin Suarez Estoque in the statement.
It is also part of their efforts to reduce vehicular accidents caused by drivers under the influence of drugs.
Meanwhile, the drug-positive was temporarily prohibited from performing his duty and subjected to an interview by the Regional Public Assistance Desk Officer for intervention options. (PNA)
