Random drug tests on taxi and public utility jeepney drivers will soon be implemented in Bacolod City, Councilor El Cid Familiaran said yesterday.

Familiaran said the Peace and Order Council of Bacolod City recently passed a resolution requesting the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Department of Labor and Employment, Land Transportation Office, Bacolod City Police Office, to call for a committee conference taxi and public utility jeepney operators, and come up with a memorandum of agreement between DOLE, PDEA and taxi and jeepney operators to conduct the tests on their drivers.

He said the tests will not be conducted in the streets but in the garages of the owners of PUJ’s and taxis, while the PDEA, being the lead agency, will shoulder the expenses.

Familiaran said the intent and purpose of the resolution is to ensure the lives and safety of the passengers and the drivers.

As chairman of the Sangguniang Panlungsod Committee on Police and Security, he said he had authored a similar resolution before, but the Commission on Human Rights and LTO raised some concerns like who will shoulder the expenses.

He also said the tests may be conducted after the Holy Week, after the committee conference.

The Council also wants the names of the drivers to be withheld to give them a chance to stop using prohibited drugs, or to undergo rehabilitation, Familiaran said.*CGS

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