10 PUV drivers face license revocation over drug use

By Gerome Dalipe IV

At least 10 public utility vehicle drivers in Western Visayas are facing license revocation after testing positive for illegal drug use in a surprise crackdown ahead of the Holy Week and summer travel surge.

Land Transportation Office Region 6 Director Gaudioso P. Geduspan II made the announcement Monday, warning that those who fail confirmatory tests by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 could lose their licenses or be permanently barred from driving.

“Owning a driver’s license is a privilege, not a right,” Geduspan stressed. “Those who operate vehicles under the influence risk losing that privilege for good.”

The positive results came from intensified enforcement under “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos!: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2026,” which was launched March 23 to secure transport hubs across the region.

In just over two weeks, authorities inspected 8,547 vehicles, removed 18 colorum units, issued 752 temporary operator’s permits, and flagged hundreds of violations, including 174 unregistered vehicles, 89 unlicensed drivers, 180 reckless motorists, and 280 unroadworthy units pulled off the road.

Operations peaked during “Oplan Harabas” from March 30 to April 1, a joint LTO-6 and PDEA-6 offensive backed by K-9 units that rolled out random drug testing in key terminals across Aklan, Antique, Capiz, and Iloilo.

Out of 1,529 drivers and conductors screened, at least 10, including jeepney, tricycle, and taxi drivers, tested positive.

Two taxi drivers were caught during inspections at Dumangas Port alone.

LTO-6 law enforcement teams fanned out across major chokepoints, from People’s Terminal in Pavia and the Ceres Terminal in Tagbak to Mohon Terminal in Molo, as well as Dumangas Port, Iloilo ports, and the Iloilo International Airport, enforcing strict, no-exception checks on vehicles, documents, and roadworthiness.

Geduspan also called on taxi operators in Panay to tighten internal controls and weed out drug use within their ranks, warning that regulators will step in if they fail to act.

The crackdown was anchored on Republic Act 10586, or the Anti-Drunk and Drugged Driving Act of 2013.