53 public transport workers positive for illegal drugs: PDEA

April 15, 2019

Fifty-three public transport workers were screened positive for illegal drug use out of the 7,729 workers or employees who underwent drug test conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Authority ( PDEA),

The drug tests were conducted in 89 major public transportation terminals nationwide, PDEA said on Monday.

Out of the 53 employees, 35 are drivers, 17 are conductors, and one dispatcher were screened positive for the use of methamphetamine hydrochloride, or shabu.

The results are still undergoing confirmatory tests in PDEA forensic laboratories as of late Monday.

PDEA Director General Aaron Aquino said the agency implementing the drug tests with other government agencies as part of its approach in reducing the demand for illegal drugs, promoting drug-free workplaces, harm-reduction and reformation.

“We are also doing this to curb incidents of vehicular accidents caused by drugged drivers and make the roads safer, especially this Lenten Season’s travel rush,” Aquino said.

Out of the total 7,729 public transport workers who were subjected to the drug tests, 4,460 are bus drivers, 2,727 are conductors, 18 are inspectors, 26 are dispatchers, nine are canvassers, 29 are van drivers, and 460 transport workers.

The tests were implemented in accordance to the provisions of Republic Act No.10586, or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013”, or “An Act Penalizing Persons Driving Under the Influence of Alcohol,

Dangerous Drugs, and Similar Substances, and for Other Purposes aimed to detect concealed illegal drugs in various bus and van terminals, and high-risk airports and major seaports across the country through K9 sweeping operations. DMS