The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, together with the Department of Transportation, Land Transportation Office, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, conducted inspections and random drug testing of bus drivers at several terminals in Cubao, Quezon City.

MMDA Chairman Romando Artes said the multi-agency operation is in line with President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s directive to prioritize passenger convenience and safety at all times.

He said the inspections aim to ensure the safe, orderly, and convenient movement of commuters and to prevent untoward incidents at bus terminals amid the holiday rush.

Joining the inspection were DoTr Undersecretary for Road Transport and Non-Infrastructure Ramon Reyes, DoTr Assistant Secretary for Road Infrastructure Mark Steven Pastor, LTO Assistant Secretary Markus Lacalinao, PDEA Operations Division Chief Joel Villarente, Quezon City Traffic and Transport Management Department head Dexter Cardenas, and representatives from the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group.

Reyes said the random drug testing is intended to ensure the safety of commuters using public utility buses bound for provinces during the holiday season.

Artes said authorities want to ensure that bus drivers have no trace of drug use and are fit and in good condition before operating public utility buses for long-distance travel.

While passengers have continued to arrive at bus terminals, Artes said the influx is expected to increase over the weekend.

He added that full deployment of personnel has been implemented to manage traffic along major roads in Metro Manila. Based on the agency’s latest volume count, about 437,000 vehicles traverse EDSA daily.

Lacalinao said K-9 teams were also deployed to assist with drug detection and safety checks.