Four individuals tested positive for drugs in a random testing operation carried out by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency and Land Transportation Office at the Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange (PITX) on Friday morning.
Jason Sandoval, corporate affairs head of PITX, told DZRH that four drug-positive people and one intoxicated individual were caught among drivers and conductors who were tested at the PITX.
"May apat po na nakitaang positive sa ipinagbabawal na gamot at isa naman ang nakainom," said Sandoval in the interview.
(We found four people who are positive for illegal drugs and one who was drunk.)
According to the spokesperson, these people have been temporarily removed from their duties, with the drug-positive people undergoing confirmatory drug tests at the Department of Health.
"Ngayon, kapag napatunayan na sila'y gumagamit ng ipinagbabawal na gamot, wala na, cancelled na 'yung kanilang mga driver's license," said Sandoval
(Now, if it is proven that they are using illegal drugs, then their driver’s licenses would have to be canceled.)
"Matapos nito… ipo-proseso sa barangay at kung kinakailangan under po sila ng rehabilitation," he added.
(After that… it will be processed in the barangay and if needed, they will undergo rehabilitation.)
Sandoval added that they are hoping the random drug tests would serve as a lesson for drivers and conductors who have vices.
"Hopefully, mas silbing aral na po ito sa ating mga tsuper na iwasan po yung ganitong bisyo," he said. "Hindi po ito solusyon, kung hindi makakapagdagdag pa sa problema, hindi lang sa kanila pati sa mahal nila sa buhay."
(Hopefully, this will serve as a lesson to our drivers to avoid this vice. This is not a solution, it will only add more problems not just for them, but to their loved ones.)
This is the second random drug testing carried out at the PITX this week, after the previous one on Monday that showed no drug-positive individual
Meanwhile, the PITX spokesperson called for understanding from passengers amid the ongoing drug tests, assuring that operators are ordered to deploy relievers in cases of emergency.
"Nanghihingi tayo ng konting pang-unawa at pasensya sa ating mga kababayan sa inconvenience na naidulot nito kaninang umaga," said Sandoval.
(We are requesting their understanding and patience for the inconvenience it caused this morning.)
"Kasi ito'y ginagawa natin para sa kanilang kaligtasan kasi napakahalaga po na 'yung mga tsuper na maghahatid sa kanilang paroroonan ay hindi nasa ilalim ng pinagbabawal na substance tulad ng droga at alak."
(We are only doing this for their safety because it is important that drivers who will take them to their destinations are not under illegal substances like drugs or alcohol.)
