DOTr chief wants regular drug testing for PUV drivers | ABS-CBN
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DOTr chief wants regular drug testing for PUV drivers
DOTr chief wants regular drug testing for PUV drivers
Published May 05, 2025 10:48 AM PHT
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Updated May 05, 2025 03:20 PM PHT
Members of the transport group Piston gather in front of Primex Tower in San Juan City on Friday, March 21, 2025, ahead of a scheduled dialogue with Transport Secretary Vince Dizon. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN News
Members of the transport group Piston gather in front of Primex Tower in San Juan City on Friday, March 21, 2025, ahead of a scheduled dialogue with Transport Secretary Vince Dizon. Maria Tan, ABS-CBN NewsMANILA (UPDATED) -- Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he would soon sign a department order requiring regular drug testing for PUV drivers.
MANILA (UPDATED) -- Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon said he would soon sign a department order requiring regular drug testing for PUV drivers.
The Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and DOTr will work with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to implement this, Dizon said.
The Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and DOTr will work with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to implement this, Dizon said.
The official made the statement at a press conference on Monday, where he offered condolences to families of those affected by recent deadly transport incidents that he said “could have been avoided."
The official made the statement at a press conference on Monday, where he offered condolences to families of those affected by recent deadly transport incidents that he said “could have been avoided."
Dizon mentioned the death of at least 10 people, including 4 minors, in a multiple-vehicle collision at the SCTEX Toll Plaza on Thursday afternoon, and the death of 2 people after an SUV rammed into the departure entrance area at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Sunday morning.
Dizon mentioned the death of at least 10 people, including 4 minors, in a multiple-vehicle collision at the SCTEX Toll Plaza on Thursday afternoon, and the death of 2 people after an SUV rammed into the departure entrance area at Ninoy Aquino International Airport Terminal 1 on Sunday morning.
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The transport chief also asked the LTFRB and LTO to lower the maximum number of hours for driving among PUV drivers to just four from six.
The transport chief also asked the LTFRB and LTO to lower the maximum number of hours for driving among PUV drivers to just four from six.
He noted that this is consistent with what is being implemented in other countries.
He noted that this is consistent with what is being implemented in other countries.
PALACE BACKS DOTR DIRECTIVE
Malacañang later expressed its support for the transportation department's directive to mandate regular drug tests.
Malacañang later expressed its support for the transportation department's directive to mandate regular drug tests.
"Opo, of course kinakalungkot po ang mga nangyari, lalo po’t may mga buhay po na nawala, may mga kababayan din po tayong nasaktan," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during the Malacanang briefing.
"Opo, of course kinakalungkot po ang mga nangyari, lalo po’t may mga buhay po na nawala, may mga kababayan din po tayong nasaktan," Palace Press Officer Claire Castro said during the Malacanang briefing.
"Hindi magandang balita po ang ganitong klaseng aksidente. At dahil sa pag-uutos po ng Pangulo, na mabigyan agad ng hustiya ang mga pamilya ng nasawi, umaksiyon po agad si Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, at siya po ay nagbabala at nagbigay narin po ng agarang pag-uutos patungkol po sa regular and mandatory drug test for public utility vehicle drivers, effective immediately," she added.
"Hindi magandang balita po ang ganitong klaseng aksidente. At dahil sa pag-uutos po ng Pangulo, na mabigyan agad ng hustiya ang mga pamilya ng nasawi, umaksiyon po agad si Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon, at siya po ay nagbabala at nagbigay narin po ng agarang pag-uutos patungkol po sa regular and mandatory drug test for public utility vehicle drivers, effective immediately," she added.
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Castro says Philippine authorities are also looking at the possible reduction of driving hours for public utility bus drivers from six to four hours daily to prevent similar accidents in the future.
Castro says Philippine authorities are also looking at the possible reduction of driving hours for public utility bus drivers from six to four hours daily to prevent similar accidents in the future.
"Magkakaroon po ng pag-aaral, at alam po natin ay ipapatupad itong reduction of driving hours for public utility bus drivers," she said. "Dapat pag-aralan po ito, kasi tandaan po natin kapag sobra po ang oras ng pagda-drive ng isang driver maari po itong maka-apekto sa kanyang kapasidad na mag-drive ng maayos."
"Magkakaroon po ng pag-aaral, at alam po natin ay ipapatupad itong reduction of driving hours for public utility bus drivers," she said. "Dapat pag-aralan po ito, kasi tandaan po natin kapag sobra po ang oras ng pagda-drive ng isang driver maari po itong maka-apekto sa kanyang kapasidad na mag-drive ng maayos."
"Titingnan po nila kung anong oras ang nararapat."
"Titingnan po nila kung anong oras ang nararapat."
The Palace official however says that they are also taking into account that reducing driving hours of PUV drivers may cut into their daily earnings.
The Palace official however says that they are also taking into account that reducing driving hours of PUV drivers may cut into their daily earnings.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO VICTIMS
On Sunday, Dizon visited the wake of the victims who died in the tragic collision along (SCTEX).
On Sunday, Dizon visited the wake of the victims who died in the tragic collision along (SCTEX).
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Eight of the victims, who are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, were en route to a church activity in Pangasinan when their van was struck in a deadly pile-up involving a Solid North bus.
Eight of the victims, who are members of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, were en route to a church activity in Pangasinan when their van was struck in a deadly pile-up involving a Solid North bus.
Only the van driver survived the crash.
Only the van driver survived the crash.
During his visit, Secretary Dizon assured grieving families of government support, including financial aid, legal assistance, and help with funeral expenses.
During his visit, Secretary Dizon assured grieving families of government support, including financial aid, legal assistance, and help with funeral expenses.
“Magbibigay ng financial assistance ang gobyerno. Kasama dito ang civil at criminal liability ng bus company. Magpo-provide kami ng legal assistance para sa lahat ng pamilya,” said Dizon.
“Magbibigay ng financial assistance ang gobyerno. Kasama dito ang civil at criminal liability ng bus company. Magpo-provide kami ng legal assistance para sa lahat ng pamilya,” said Dizon.
“Wala na silang dapat alalahanin. Hanggang sa paghatid sa huling hantungan, gobyerno na ang bahala,” said Jun Ynares, Mayor of Antipolo City, where majority of these victims live.
“Wala na silang dapat alalahanin. Hanggang sa paghatid sa huling hantungan, gobyerno na ang bahala,” said Jun Ynares, Mayor of Antipolo City, where majority of these victims live.
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Dizon also visited the wake of the other victims of the crash— a PCG personnel and her husband— in their home in Plaridel, Bulacan, last Saturday.
Dizon also visited the wake of the other victims of the crash— a PCG personnel and her husband— in their home in Plaridel, Bulacan, last Saturday.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has since suspended the operations of Pangasinan Solid North Inc. for 30 days. All their 273 buses were pulled from the roads as of Saturday noon.
The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has since suspended the operations of Pangasinan Solid North Inc. for 30 days. All their 273 buses were pulled from the roads as of Saturday noon.
The department also ordered mandatory drug testing for all Solid North drivers and strict roadworthiness inspections for all buses.
The department also ordered mandatory drug testing for all Solid North drivers and strict roadworthiness inspections for all buses.
“Lahat ng 273 buses ng Solid North ay mag-u-undergo ng inspection. Lahat ng drivers nila ay dadaan sa drug testing. Nabalitaan naming may ayaw magpa-drug test. Hindi puwede ‘yon. Mandatory ito,” Dizon said.
“Lahat ng 273 buses ng Solid North ay mag-u-undergo ng inspection. Lahat ng drivers nila ay dadaan sa drug testing. Nabalitaan naming may ayaw magpa-drug test. Hindi puwede ‘yon. Mandatory ito,” Dizon said.
The DOTr is also looking into the implementation of mandatory speed limiters for public utility vehicles.
The DOTr is also looking into the implementation of mandatory speed limiters for public utility vehicles.
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“May speed limiter law tayo since 2016. Kailangang ipatupad ‘yan. Pero ang problema, iisa lang ang accredited supplier. Dapat ayusin natin ‘yan,” Dizon said.
“May speed limiter law tayo since 2016. Kailangang ipatupad ‘yan. Pero ang problema, iisa lang ang accredited supplier. Dapat ayusin natin ‘yan,” Dizon said.
An LTFRB hearing on the SCTEX crash is scheduled for May 7.
An LTFRB hearing on the SCTEX crash is scheduled for May 7.
The victims will be laid to rest this Friday. -- with a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News
The victims will be laid to rest this Friday. -- with a report from Pia Gutierrez, ABS-CBN News
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