Two bus drivers and a conductor tested positive for illegal drug use during a surprise mandatory screening by the Land Transportation Office (LTO) XI and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) XI on Thursday morning, Dec. 18. The drug testing was part of “Oplan Byaheng Ayos: PASKO 2025” (Oplan Harabas), aimed at ensuring passenger safety during the holiday rush. A total of 111 public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and aides were screened at the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) and the Gaisano Mall of Davao van terminal, with the tests at the van terminal yielding negative results, while the inspection at DCOTT flagged the two drivers and one conductor. The three individuals tested “positive initially” in the urine screening, and their samples will now undergo a confirmatory test to verify the results. If the confirmatory result is positive, the LTO will issue a show cause order (SCO) to the respondent drivers, and the agency will prepare a resolution to be submitted to the LTO Central Office for the final order, which could lead to the revocation of their professional driver’s licenses.
