Six PUV drivers in Bacolod get lifetime license ban

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — The Land Transportation Office–Negros Island Region (LTO-NIR) has moved to permanently revoke the licenses of six public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers who tested positive for illegal drug use during a surprise inspection last month.

LTO-NIR Officer-in-Charge Director Jeck Conlu announced in a recent social media post that the agency has imposed a perpetual disqualification from holding a driver’s license on two traditional jeepney drivers and four modern bus drivers who tested positive for methamphetamine hydrochloride, or “shabu.”

The results were based on the October 29 “Oplan Harabas” random drug testing at the Bacolod North Terminal, which screened 100 PUV drivers and operators in coordination with the LTO, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), police, Department of Health, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the city government.

“Oplan Harabas” is part of the Department of Transportation’s “Oplan Biyaheng Ayos: Undas 2025” initiative aimed at enhancing passenger safety during peak travel seasons.

The PDEA-6 verified the positive results through Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS).

Conlu reiterated that any PUV driver caught using illegal drugs faces a lifetime ban from driving.

He said the LTO-NIR remains committed to keeping the region’s roads safe by ensuring all PUV drivers are drug-free and fit to operate their vehicles.

The permanent revocation of the six licenses, which were initially confiscated and suspended, is fully supported by Transportation Acting Secretary Giovanni Lopez and LTO Chief Assistant Secretary Markus Lacanilao, according to the regional office.