ALL of the 65 bus drivers who were subjected to a random drug test yesterday in two bus terminals in Cubao, Quezon City tested negative, Metropolitan Manila Development Authority Chairperson Romando Artes said.
The drug test is part of the overall preparations by authorities to ensure the safety of passengers trekking to their respective provinces this Holy Week.
Artes said of the 65 bus drivers, 25 are employed by Five Star, 23 by Baliwag and 17 from Genesis.
“They all tested negative for illegal drug use,” Artes said.
As part of the “Oplan Biyaheng Maayos Semana Santa 2024, officials of the MMDA, Department of the Interior and Local Government, and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency also inspected several bus terminals in the metropolis.
The officials included MMDA General Manager Procopio Lipana, DILG Undersecretary Felicito Valmocina, MMDA Assistant General Manager for Operations Angelo David Vargas, and several personnel from PDEA.
Earlier, the MMDA said it had deployed 2,274 traffic and emergency personnel on major thoroughfares, bus terminals and the vicinity of churches to ensure the free flow of traffic and the safety of the public.
“Ambulances and tow trucks are also on standby in several areas in Metro Manila,” Artes said.
The MMDA is also implementing a “no absent, no leave” policy for the entire Holy Week.
Artes said the MMDA will also suspend the implementation of the Unified Vehicular Volume Reduction Program or number-coding scheme starting today, March 27, until March 29, Good Friday.
There is no number coding on Saturdays and Sundays.
