The Angeles City government led by Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin Jr. has conducted drug testing in three PUJ terminals involving 243 jeepney drivers on Monday morning.
The surprise and mandatory drug testing of the public transport group which was jointly conducted with Land Transportation Office (LTO) commenced in the terminals of Sunset-Nepo, Capaya-Plaridel, and Checkpoint-Hensonville.
The drug testing was conducted at Sunset-Nepo JODA Terminal located at 28 TS Building, Hilda St., Nepo Mart Complex, Brangay Cutcut with 29 members; Checkpoint-Hensonville Terminal located at 22nd Street corner Valdez St., with 171 members; and Capaya-Plaridel Terminal located at Lazatin St. corner Abad Santos St., Barangay Capaya II, with 43 members.
Mayor Lazatin personally supervised the surprise drug testing with Chief Adviser IC Calaguas, Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, personnel from Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ACADAC) headed by Ricky Saul, and officials of LTO led by Assistant Regional Director PBGen. Antonio Bartolome.
Mayor Lazatin has expressed his gratitude to the support of the LTO in the random and mandatory drug testing that is being held in Angeles City in a bid to stop drug use among PUJ drivers.
This, would allow for a more peaceful community free of illegal drugs, Mayor Lazatin said.
Mayor Lazatin has committed to preserve public safety by preventing the proliferation of illegal drugs within the transportation sector.
Mayor Lazatin has reiterated his appeal on all drivers to support the program against illegal drugs.
The Angeles City government will push the drug testing of all Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (JODA), and Tricycle Operators and Drivers Association (TODA).
The drug testing will be conducted by the ACADAC, City Health Office (CHO), Angeles City Traffic Development Office (ACTDO), City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO), City Information Office (CIO), Angeles City Risk Reduction and Management Office (ACDRRMO), Public Transportation and Regulatory Office (PTRO), Command Center, and the Land Transportation Office (LTO).
The surprise drug testing in the other PUJ routes in Marisol-Pampang with 199 members, Pampang-Holy with 5 members, and Sapangbato with 142 members, Maingate-Friendship with 100 members, Checkpoint Holy via Balibago with 293 members, and Checkpoint Highway with 415 members; Villa Pampang Transport Coop with 115 members, Angeles City Transport Coop with 116 members, and Angeles Pulmar via Pandan with 171 members will follow suit.
The drug testing on members of the transport group is anchored on Republic Act 10586 or the “Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.”
The program is patterned on Oplan:Harabas Drug Test Muna Bago Pasada introduced by then Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino.
