The Land Transportation Office (LTO) shared some very important news on Monday: 98 drivers in the Philippines lost their licenses because they tested positive for illegal drugs.
👮♂️ LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Vigor Mendoza II explained that all these drivers went through a special test called a “confirmatory test”—a test that double-checks if someone has really used illegal drugs. And sadly, they all tested positive.
Because of this, the LTO revoked (or took away) their driver’s licenses forever. That means they can never drive legally again in the Philippines.
“Na-revoke na po ‘yan with perpetual disqualification,” Mendoza said.
(That means their licenses were taken and they can never get it back.)
🚌 Most Drug Users Were Bus Drivers
Mendoza said that many of these drivers were from provincial buses, which means they drive long distances and carry many passengers. That’s dangerous! Imagine someone using drugs and then driving a big bus with lots of people inside—it could lead to a terrible accident!
The biggest number of drug-using drivers—55 out of 98—came from the Zamboanga Peninsula, which is a part of Mindanao in the southern Philippines.
👏 Government Thanks PDEA for the Catch
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon thanked the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) for helping catch the drivers during Holy Week, a busy travel time in the country.
“Imagine that—almost 100 drivers using drugs! Any one of them could’ve caused a bad accident, like what happened with the Solid North bus crash,” Dizon said.
He meant that these drivers, who were under the influence of drugs, could’ve caused crashes that hurt or killed people—just like a recent accident where a bus lost control.
⚠️ More Drivers Suspended Earlier
Just last month, the LTO also said they had to suspend 671 drivers’ licenses—many of those drivers were involved in road accidents and tested positive for drugs too.
🚍 New Rule: Mandatory Drug Testing for All Public Drivers
Because of these serious problems, the government is now making a new rule:
👉 Every driver of a public utility vehicle (PUV)—like buses, jeepneys, and taxis—must take a drug test to make sure they are clean and safe to drive.
This rule comes after several tragic accidents happened in just a few days:
-
10 people, including 4 children, died in a car crash near the Tarlac City Toll Plaza on a busy highway last Thursday.
-
On Sunday, 2 more people died when an SUV crashed into the airport (NAIA Terminal 1) in Manila.
🚦 Why This Matters
Driving is a big responsibility. A single mistake, especially while using drugs, can cost people their lives. The government is doing its best to keep the roads safe for everyone—kids, moms, dads, and all Filipinos.
So, if someone wants to drive, they must follow the rules, stay drug-free, and always think of others’ safety. 🚗💨
