4 Iloilo PUV Drivers Lose Licenses Over ‘Drug Use’

By Gerome Dalipe IV

The Land Transportation Office Region 6 (LTO-6) has permanently revoked the licenses of four public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who tested positive for illegal drugs during a surprise inspection on April 15.

The revocation, approved by LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Atty. Vigor Mendoza II, includes a lifetime disqualification from holding a driver’s license as part of the agency’s strict road safety enforcement.

The drivers tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride, commonly known as shabu, during the “Oplan Harabas” drug testing operation at the Ceres Terminal in Barangay Tagbak, Jaro, and Mohon Terminal in Arevalo District.

Confirmatory tests were conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Region 6 (PDEA-6) using Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis.

PDEA-6 Regional Director Melvin S. Estoque submitted the results to LTO-6 on April 21, in compliance with Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

The four sanctioned drivers include a taxi driver, a tricycle driver, and two modernized jeepney drivers.

They were among 156 PUV drivers subjected to random testing during the joint operation involving the LTO, PDEA, Philippine National Police (PNP), Department of Health (DOH), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and the Iloilo City Government.

“Oplan Harabas” is part of the Department of Transportation’s (DOTr) “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Semana Santa and Summer Vacation 2025” campaign, which aims to ensure road safety during the peak travel season.

“This initiative is part of our broader commitment to keep the roads safe and free from drivers impaired by illegal drugs,” said LTO-6 Regional Director Atty. Gaudioso Geduspan II.

“We want to prevent drug-related crashes and protect the commuting public.”

LTO-6 Assistant Regional Director Jeck Conlu also emphasized the importance of strict compliance with transport safety standards, especially among public utility drivers.

Following administrative hearings, the drivers were declared “improper persons to operate a motor vehicle” under Section 27(a) of Republic Act No. 4136, which authorizes license suspension or revocation.

The resolution, signed by Director Geduspan, ordered the immediate revocation of their licenses and directed them to surrender the documents to the LTO Central Office’s Intelligence and Investigation Division through LTO-6.

LTO-6 assured the public that similar enforcement operations will continue to uphold road safety and deter drug-impaired driving across Western Visayas.