Photo credit: LTO

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has subjected all drivers and conductors of Solid North Transit to mandatory drug testing and ordered the inspection of all company buses following a deadly road crash involving one of its units.

“In line with the instruction of President Ferdinand ‘Bongbong’ R. Marcos, Jr. to keep the roads safe to all users, the Land Transportation Office (LTO), under the guidance of Department of Transportation (DOTr) Secretary Vince Dizon, has conducted mandatory drug testing to a total of 740 drivers and conductors of Solid North Transit in its terminal and office in Cubao, Quezon City,” the agency said in an official Facebook post.

The move follows the May 1 accident at the SCTEX toll plaza in Tarlac City, where a Solid North bus collided with other vehicles and left 10 people dead. According to the LTO, the driver involved in the incident refused to undergo a drug test, leading to the revocation of his license.

LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor D. Mendoza II explained that drug testing is part of ensuring that drivers are fit to operate public utility vehicles. “The instruction of Secretary Vince is clear, we have to make sure that all their drivers and conductors are drug-free before they are allowed to operate,” Mendoza said.

He added that driving a PUV is “a privilege being given to individuals that comes with responsibility,” and refusal to undergo drug testing can be grounds for LTO sanctions on a license.

Apart from the drug testing, all Solid North buses will undergo mandatory roadworthiness inspections. “While we have been doing all our efforts for road safety, from quick action against abusive drivers to launching road safety campaigns, cases of road crash in the past days necessitate more concrete preventive actions,” Mendoza said.

He also noted that this would not be a one-off enforcement action. “We understand the concerns of our kababayan on this matter, that is why the mass drug testing and mass inspection of buses of the Solid North will be replicated to other companies and operators, across the country,” Mendoza stated.

The LTO chief has directed all regional offices to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for random, surprise, and mandatory drug tests for PUV drivers nationwide, including those operating motorcycle taxis, buses, and trucks. — ABN