The Department of Transportation (DoTr) on Wednesday formed a special task force to review the country’s road safety policies after a spate of incidents involving drug use and reckless driving by public utility vehicle drivers.

Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon announced the creation of the task force, which will include the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Land Transportation Franchising Regulatory Board (LTFRB), during a press briefing.

The move follows the suspension of 671 drivers, 97 of whom tested positive for illegal drugs in random tests conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) during the Holy Week travel period. The remaining suspensions were due to involvement in road crashes, ranging from minor to fatal.

“Almost a hundred — 97 drivers — tested positive in drug tests. This is completely unacceptable,” Dizon said. “If they think the government won’t act, we will not allow this kind of abuse to continue. We will not let it pass.”

Dizon also cited the case of a bus driver, identified as Mark Louie A. Burgos of ESL Bus Company, who was caught on video driving recklessly in La Union. Burgos’ license has been revoked, and a Show Cause Order (SCO) was issued to the bus company.

LTO chief Assistant Secretary Vigor D. Mendoza II described the mass suspension as “unprecedented.” He said 574 drivers were suspended due to road crash incidents and 97 for drug-related incidents.

The LTO is also issuing Show Cause Orders to 1,165 vehicle owners whose units were found to have potential roadworthiness issues.

Mendoza said the LTO will form two dedicated teams: one to focus on illegal drug use in the transport sector and another to monitor and hold accountable unregistered or unroadworthy vehicles.

The agency also plans to retest professional drivers, including theoretical and practical exams, at no cost to ensure their competency, particularly among motorcycle riders.

To enhance enforcement, the LTO is preparing to tighten the Motor Vehicle Inspection System and deploy new inspection equipment nationwide.

Dizon, meantime, stressed that the suspension of 671 drivers is just the beginning, as the LTO continues its investigations, and more sanctions, including potential criminal charges, could follow.

“This is not just talk,” Dizon stressed. “The government has the authority to revoke that privilege. And now, it will.”