LTO, DDB partner up vs. drug-abusing PUV drivers, conductors
The Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Dangerous Drugs Board (DBB) signed on Tuesday, March 9, a memorandum of agreement (MOA) that espouses a drug-free public road transport sector in the country.

Signed by LTO Assistant Secretary Edgar C. Galvante and DDB Chairman Catalino S. Cuy, the pact is aimed at cracking down on public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers and conductors who use illegal drugs.
Under the memorandum, a fund amounting to more than P1.5 million will be downloaded to the LTO for its anti-drug priority project, which covers the development and management of the nationwide drug testing of PUV drivers and conductors.
According to Galvante, this amount will "greatly help" the agency in implementing its drug control and prevention priorities and in effect ensure the safety of all road users in the country.
"Driving is a special skill. It requires proper and adequate levels of psychomotor coordination. Thus, driving and substance abuse is a lethal combination. There is a need to eliminate this in the equation on road safety," Galvante said during the signing ceremony.
For his part, Cuy said the fund given to the LTO was from the additional budget granted to the DDB to support the drug abuse prevention and control programs of other agencies under the Philippine Anti-Illegal Drugs Strategy (PADS).
The MOA will pave the way for the release of the funds through government-to-government cooperation, the DDB chief added.
"It is our fervent hope that the use of this funding and the implementation to be carried out by LTO will strengthen our efforts and measures in winning the campaign against illegal drugs, and establish safe and secure communities for the future generations," Cuy said.
Meanwhile, Galvante assured that the LTO will push through with its own anti-illegal drugs initiatives, adding that they are one with the DDB in looking after the welfare of the Filipinos.