Pdea surprises van, bus drivers

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (Pdea) conducted the UndaSpot: Ligtas Byahe 2018, a surprise inspection on bus and van drivers in the different transport terminals yesterday, October 29, 2018.

The activity was in coordination with Land Transportation Office (LTO), The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Davao City Overland Transport Terminal (DCOTT) in an effort to make the Undas Season peaceful and safe in Davao City.

“We will conduct on-the-spot sweeping operation by the use of canine dogs (on the passengers’ baggage) to ensure that no drugs (coming from here will be distributed to the different provinces),” Antonio Rivera, Regional Director of Pdea 11, said in an interview with reporters yesterday.

“We will [also] conduct onthe-spot drug test to all bus and van

drivers. [The purpose] is to ensure that drivers are not under the influence of dangerous drugs when they are conveying or transporting passengers,” he added.

Rivera further said this is the first ever UndaSpot operation and that it is a good start so he hoped that it will be implemented annually.

“We are doing this for the safety of the riding public,” he said.

Meanwhile, the LTO Assistant Regional Director, Neil Cañedo, said they will just have to assist the PDEA on the ongoing operation that would run from October 29 to 31.

“Karon, kung unsay mahitabo diri, depende na sa PDEA unsay procedure kay sila man nag conduct ani. Gina-respeto namo ang ilang desisyon diri kay ma-technical mi kung wala nag Department of Health (DOH) (Whatever will be the decisions and procedures here will depend on the Pdea because this is their activity and we will respect that),” Cañedo said.

The new Regional Director of LTFRB, Attorney Cattleya Acaylar also said that they have been ensuring that buses and vans have franchise especially during Undas season.