160 Ceres bus drivers undergo drug testing

CEBU, Philippines —  Around 160 Ceres bus drivers have undergone drug testing conducted by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board.

LTFRB-7 regional director Eduardo Montealto said the results will be made available 15 days after the testing.

Montealto said the management of Vallacar Transit Inc., the operator of Ceres buses, will conduct another drug testing to the remaining 140 drivers tomorrow at the Cebu North Bus Terminal.

“Ilaha nang gipaspasan ang pag-conduct sa drug test sa ilang mga drivers the fact they hired several drug testing laboratories aron madali gyud,” said Montealto.

The LTFRB-7 has directed the bus management to conduct drug testing of their drivers as part of its sanctions to the series of road accidents involving Ceres buses especially in the northern part of Cebu.

Around 300 bus drivers in the north-bound are mandated to undergo drug testing as well as driver’s examination before the Land Transportation Office.

Those bus drivers who failed in the drug testing will be terminated while those who failed in the driver’s examination will not be allowed to drive until he passes the exams.

Meanwhile, LTFRB-7 has yet to decide next week whether the bus company will be held culpable or not on the series of road accidents involving their units.

Montealto earlier said that during the hearing held last week, the company already made some financial  settlements on the three victims who died in the road accidents. — GMR (FREEMAN)