Thirty-three transport drivers were screened positive for illegal drug use including 15 bus drivers, 12 bus conductors, 3 jeepney drivers, 1 van driver, 1 tricycle driver, and 1 taxi driver, out of the 4,675 who underwent drug test conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in its Project: “UNDASPOT” program nationwide.
These drivers were not allowed to travel pending the confiscation of their licenses while undergoing rehabilitation process which include health awareness, and psychological and spiritual activities such as counseling, moral recovery, values formation, personal and life skills provided by the local government before reclaiming their licenses.
Project: “UNDASPOT” — the fifth installment of PDEA’s OPLAN HARABAS, is a surprise mandatory drug testing to all bus drivers and the conduct of K9 sweeping in the major passenger terminals and ports all over the country aimed to ensure the safety of traveling passengers for the upcoming All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day celebration.
PDEA Director General Aaron N. Aquino ordered the mandatory drug testing of drivers to curb incidents of vehicular accidents caused by drugged drivers, and make the roads safer especially this holiday travel rush.
On October 28, 2019, PDEA, together with personnel of Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and the Philippine National Police (PNP), proceeded to JAC Liner Bus Terminal and PHILTRANCO Bus Terminal, both in Pasay City; and Quezon City’s Partas Bus Terminal and Five Star Bus Terminal, and conducted surprise mandatory drug test to drivers, conductors and bus company personnel.
PDEA, with the assistance of Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA) and Philippine Ports Authority (PPA), also swept the country’s high-risk airports and major seaports for illegal drugs using K9s. Illegal drug traffickers may take advantage of the bustling activity surrounding these passenger terminals to transport illegal drugs.
Part of the activity was the distribution of drug preventive information, education and communication materials to the travelers for their awareness on a safe and secure journey.
In pursuit of a drug-free transport system in the country, PDEA previously implemented four operation plans subjecting drivers to drug-testing nationwide: OPLAN: “UNDASPOT” (October 29, 2018); OPLAN: “HARABAS” 1 (March 29, 2019); OPLAN: “HARABAS” 2 (May 16, 2019); and OPLAN: “HULI WEEK” (April15-16, 2019).
A total of 19,087 drivers of buses, jeepneys, tricycles, container trucks servicing the ports; and bus conductors and dispatchers have undergone said drug tests. After confirmatory tests, 213 drivers yielded positive results for illegal drug use.