The Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday conducted a series of activities for the safe and secure transport of passengers from the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) and van terminals during the Christmas Season.

The LTO and PDEA on Thursday conducted a surprise drug testing to 50 bus drivers at DCOTT and 20 drivers at the Gmall Terminal.

LTO Regional Law Enforcement Section Head Yuri Lim told reporters on Thursday that two drivers were found positive of illegal drug use during the quick test.

“These tests need to be confirmed by DCOTT-PDEA,” Lim said of the result of the tests on the two drivers, one from DCOTT and one from the Gmall terminal.

“For now mu-undergo sila og briefing procedure on the part of PDEA and LTO, i-hold sa LTO ang ilahang license pending sa result sa confirmatory, pag ingon ana dili siya pwede mu-drive og pampublikong sakyanan or pribadong sakyanan. Pag mugawas ang resulta sa confirmatory, we will call the driver and invite him para ma briefing unsay next na mahitabo (For now they will undergo briefing and procedure by PDEA and LT0, the LTO will take custody of their licenses pending the results of the confirmatory [tests], which means that they will not be allowed to drive either public or private vehicles. Once the confirmatory results are out, we will call the drivers and invite them to brief them what happens next),” he said.

Lim said that the surprise drug testing, dubbed Oplan Harabas, is a preventive measure to determine if there are drivers using illegal drugs.

Lim said that aside from Oplan Harabas, which is part of the Oplan Ayos Byahe, they ensure the road worthiness of vehicles plying the streets. These include delivery trucks, wingvans, and cargo units.

LTFRB XI Administrative Office IV Engr. Marie Jeana Jaralba also told reporters that their office started monitoring the roadworthiness of passenger buses starting December 11, 2024.

“Gina-check namo ang papeles kung naa ba siyay Certificate of Public Convenience, ang mga tires, busina, GPS, required gyud na siya nga naay GPS tanang bus (We check the tires, the horns, GPS– the GPS is really required),” Jaralba said.

She said that five employees of LTFRB are assigned in the LTFRB help desk at the DCOTT from December 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

Jaralba said that as of Thursday they have already issued 22 special permits for buses heading for Tandag City in Surigao del Sur, New Bataan in Davao de Oro, and Kidapawan City in Cotabato province. These were applied for by two companies. The special permits will be good for five days.

Meanwhile, if there is a shortage of buses, a one-day special permits will also be issued

These are available through their help desk. CIO

The Land Transportation Office (LTO), the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) on Thursday conducted a series of activities for the safe and secure transport of passengers from the Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) and van terminals during the Christmas Season.

The LTO and PDEA on Thursday conducted a surprise drug testing to 50 bus drivers at DCOTT and 20 drivers at the Gmall Terminal.

LTO Regional Law Enforcement Section Head Yuri Lim told reporters on Thursday that two drivers were found positive of illegal drug use during the quick test.

“These tests need to be confirmed by DCOTT-PDEA,” Lim said of the result of the tests on the two drivers, one from DCOTT and one from the Gmall terminal.

“For now mu-undergo sila og briefing procedure on the part of PDEA and LTO, i-hold sa LTO ang ilahang license pending sa result sa confirmatory, pag ingon ana dili siya pwede mu-drive og pampublikong sakyanan or pribadong sakyanan. Pag mugawas ang resulta sa confirmatory, we will call the driver and invite him para ma briefing unsay next na mahitabo (For now they will undergo briefing and procedure by PDEA and LT0, the LTO will take custody of their licenses pending the results of the confirmatory [tests], which means that they will not be allowed to drive either public or private vehicles. Once the confirmatory results are out, we will call the drivers and invite them to brief them what happens next),” he said.

Lim said that the surprise drug testing, dubbed Oplan Harabas, is a preventive measure to determine if there are drivers using illegal drugs.

Lim said that aside from Oplan Harabas, which is part of the Oplan Ayos Byahe, they ensure the road worthiness of vehicles plying the streets. These include delivery trucks, wingvans, and cargo units.

LTFRB XI Administrative Office IV Engr. Marie Jeana Jaralba also told reporters that their office started monitoring the roadworthiness of passenger buses starting December 11, 2024.

“Gina-check namo ang papeles kung naa ba siyay Certificate of Public Convenience, ang mga tires, busina, GPS, required gyud na siya nga naay GPS tanang bus (We check the tires, the horns, GPS– the GPS is really required),” Jaralba said.

She said that five employees of LTFRB are assigned in the LTFRB help desk at the DCOTT from December 19, 2024 to January 5, 2025.

Jaralba said that as of Thursday they have already issued 22 special permits for buses heading for Tandag City in Surigao del Sur, New Bataan in Davao de Oro, and Kidapawan City in Cotabato province. These were applied for by two companies. The special permits will be good for five days.

Meanwhile, if there is a shortage of buses, a one-day special permits will also be issued

These are available through their help desk. CIO