Palace reconsidering drug-testing policy on PUV drivers

Malacañang Palace on Tuesday said it is open to reconsidering the mandatory drug-testing policy imposed by the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers.

“Dapat pong pag-aralan, kasi ito po ay kailangan din po. Tandaan po natin ang inaalagaan po dito iyong safety po ng commuters, ng mga passengers, ng mga tao na gumagamit ng kalsada, including na rin po iyong mga drivers, hindi po ito basta-basta maaaring sabihin na huwag na lang gawin kung ito naman po ay makakasama sa safety,” Palace Press Officer Undersecretary Claire Castro said during a Palace briefing.

("It should be studied, because this is also necessary. Let's remember that what is being taken care of here is the safety of commuters, passengers, people using the road, including the drivers. We can’t just say not to do it if it would compromise safety.")

The transport group PISTON earlier raised concerns about the new policy, including the added financial burden of committing to a drug test every 90 days, especially amid unstable petroleum prices and the ongoing implementation of the PUV modernization program.

Former Senate President Vicente Sotto III also criticized the policy, pointing out that out of 24 million drivers who underwent drug testing, only 0.06 percent — or roughly 14,400 individuals — tested positive, arguing that the requirement could become a money-making scheme.

Castro said relevant agencies have been asked to study the policy carefully and not to immediately assume it is financially motivated.

“Pag-aaralan pa rin po ito at huwag naman po natin agad husgahan na ito ay isang money-making device or strategy,” she added.

("This will still be studied, and let’s not immediately judge it as a money-making device or strategy.")