Drug tests won’t solve road crashes, says senator
Senate Minority Leader Aquilino “Koko” Pimentel III on Tuesday cast doubts on the effectiveness of requiring drivers of public utility vehicles (PUVs) to undergo drug tests, pointing out that the strict enforcement of traffic rules and the prosecution of reckless drivers will help curb deadly road crashes.
“We have to enforce the law. Those overspeeding [drivers] must be stopped before they injure or kill. Even those reckless drivers must be apprehended,” Pimentel said in a Viber message.
He added that the Department of Transportation (DOTr) and other concerned state agencies must ensure that buses, trucks, trailers, vans and other heavy vehicles comply with Republic Act No. 10916, or the Road Speed Limiter Act of 2016, which requires these types of vehicles to have speed-limiting devices.
“The discipline of the drivers of (PUVs) should be the concern of the operators and owners of these public utilities. And they should shoulder part of the civil and criminal liabilities [of their drivers involved in accidents],” he said.
The opposition senator questioned the need for conducting mandatory drug testing for PUV drivers as he noted that the driver of the passenger bus involved in the fatal collision in Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway on May 1 tested negative for drug use.
On Monday, Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon signed Department Order No. 2025-008, which required drivers of passenger jeepneys, buses, UV Express vans, trucks for hire, ride-hailing apps and motorcycle taxis to undergo alcohol and drug testing.
“Why is mandatory drug testing the measure which comes to mind? What’s the connection with the incident?” Pimentel asked.
Proactive measures
Former Senate President Vicente “Tito” Sotto III, who is seeking a return to the Senate in next week’s midterm elections, shared Pimentel’s view, saying this was actually the reason why he pushed for the repeal of a provision in the old antidrug law that mandated PUV drivers to submit themselves to drug testing.
According to Sotto, less than 1 percent of 24 million drivers had tested positive for drug use from 2002 to 2010.
“And [now[ you want it back? Silly! It’s simply [a] money-making [venture],” Sotto said in a post on X.
For Sen. Grace Poe, vice chair of the Senate committee on public services, initiatives ensuring that drivers “are of sound mind and body,” such as the conduct of random drug tests, should be supported.
However, she said the DOTr needs to consult stakeholders, including driver groups and medical experts, to ensure that the policy is science-based and not overly burdensome.
“But the question is, who will bear the costs of these tests? DOTr can look into a socialized program to fund this. Funding for road safety must be an essential component of DOTr’s budget,” she pointed out.
For Senate President Pro Tempore Jinggoy Estrada, Dizon’s issuance of a memorandum order was a “proactive step toward ensuring road safety and protecting the welfare of commuters” and that it should be studied for possible legislation.
As part of the DOTr’s measures, Dizon is also urging the Supreme Court (SC) to finally lift the temporary restraining order on the no-contact apprehension program (NCAP)in Metro Manila as a way to deter violators and prevent road crashes.
Dizon said it was “physically impossible” for law enforcement officers to apprehend all road violators without it.
“We really need NCAP. Right now, we have many CCTVs, we have the technology to implement it. We can now easily apprehend violators on the road. But we still have a pending case before the SC, so we cannot implement it now,” he added. —WITH A REPORT FROM DEXTER CABALZA
