The Land Transportation Office (LTO) warned yesterday that motorists have only two chances to take the mandatory drug tests before they could secure their driver’s licenses.
LTO chief Roberto Lastimoso said that if the motorists fail these two drug tests, they would be "barred forever from re-applying for any driver’s licenses."
In a memorandum circular, Lastimoso said that applicants for non-professional and professional driver’s licenses who tested positive for drugs would not be able to renew their license for six months.
Lastimoso added that after this period, the motorists must undergo a confirmatory drug test.
"The driver’s licenses of holders who were confirmed positive after the lapse of six months prohibitory period shall be confiscated and considered revoked," the memorandum stated.
In compliance to the Land Transportation Code, the LTO is requiring all motorists to undergo drug tests before they could apply for driver’s license.
The program is intended to minimize drug-related accidents.
The LTO first implemented the program in November 1999 but the agency had to shelve it later because of the lack of drug-testing centers.
Initially, the LTO’s clinics, the Philippine National Police and the Dangerous Drugs Board were the only ones authorized to perform the drug examination.
To meet the demand for laboratories, the LTO had accredited private clinics to assist government agencies in testing the motorists. — Sheila Crisostomo