The Iloilo City Loop Alliance of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association (ICLAJODA) recently endorsed the proposal by the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) calling for mandatory drug testing for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators.

The proposal comes after President Rodrigo Duterte recommended mandatory drug testing for bus drivers, particularly those operating on long routes.

ICLAJODA President Raymund ‘Boyet’ Parcon said his group, along with other local transport groups, have been conducting drug testing for public utility vehicle (PUV) operators for the past two years.

“Kadamo sang mga drivers naton nga nag positive kag undergo rehab dira mismo sa Camp Delgado (Many of our drivers tested positive and underwent rehabilitation at Camp Delgado),” he pointed out.

Parcon admitted around 50 percent of local jeepney operators were dependent on drugs.

He added, while many have been helped by rehabilitation, there are still a minimal number of operators still involved with illegal drugs./WDJ