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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Over 740 Solid North bus drivers undergo drug test; LTO vows regular proactive road safety

Over 740 Solid North bus drivers undergo drug test; LTO vows regular proactive road safety

Published May 7, 2025 06:43 pm

At A Glance

  • The mandatory drug test was conducted after the tragic SCTEC road accident that left 10 people dead
  • LTO vows to conduct more drug test, road worthiness inspections covering all PUVs nationwide 

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) has subjected all the drivers and conductors of the Solid North Transit to mandatory drug testing following the tragic accident on expressway toll plaza in Tarlac City on May 1 that left 10 people dead.

At the same time, LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II said all the passenger buses under the Solid North Transit will be subjected to road worthiness test as part of the condition before it could operate anew.

The operation of the company, it was recalled, was suspended after the accident.

“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,” said Mendoza, adding that around 740 drivers, conductors and employees of the bus company underwent the drug test. 

Mendoza explained that refusal to undergo drug tests is already a ground for LTO action in so far as the driver’s license is concerned, as he noted that driving a public utility vehicle (PUV) is a privilege being given to individuals that comes with responsibility.

“And that responsibility is for them to be mentally and physically prepared since what is at stake is the lives of the passengers and other road users,” said Mendoza. 

The license of the driver of the Solid North bus which caused the fatal road accident in SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) was already revoked after he refused to undergo a drug test after the incident.

Aside from mandatory drug testing, Mendoza said all the passenger buses of Solid North Transit will be subjected to mandatory roadworthiness testing as part of the measures to ensure the safety of their passengers and other road users.

“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 necessitates more concrete preventive actions,” said Mendoza.

“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,” he added. 

Mendoza said he already ordered all Regional Directors to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for the conduct of the surprise, random and mandatory drug testing for all PUV drivers—from motorcycle taxi riders to bus and truck drivers. 

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