DOTr mandates biannual drug tests for PUV drivers

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced on Monday that all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers will undergo mandatory drug testing every six months following recent deadly transport incidents.

Dizon emphasized the non-negotiability of such tests for public safety during a press conference and has been instructed by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to ensure justice is served for victims of recent fatal road crashes, while 1-Rider Partylist Representative Bonifacio Bosita criticized the directive as discriminatory on Wednesday.

Bosita questioned why only PUV drivers are subject to drug testing, suggesting that private car owners could also use illegal drugs and should be held accountable.

The Department of Transportation's (DOTr) order has been met with criticism from transport groups like PISTON and several lawmakers who view it as an added burden on drivers and a 'money-making scheme'.

City bus operators in Metro Manila are urging the DOTr to reconsider this proposal due to shorter routes and fewer drivers compared to provincial buses, while Provincial Bus Operators Association executive director Alex Yague suggested conducting surprise random drug tests instead of regular ones.

Bosita also called for an investigation into how the driver involved in the NAIA crash was issued a driver's license and questioned the installation of bollards at NAIA, suggesting that proper design could prevent similar incidents.