LTO, DRUG FIRMS FORGE PACT

The Land Transportation Office (LTO) forged yesterday a memorandum of
agreement (MOA) with two drug testing companies in a bid to flush out
fly-by-night drug centers from the agency.

"With the MOA, we are now assured that there would be no fly-by-night
drug testing centers since all the owners have agreed that they would
police their own ranks," said LTO chief Robeto Lastimoso.

Lastimoso noted that under the MOA, the drug testing firms have agreed
to strictly comply with the rules and regulations on how they would
implement the LTO's drug testing program.

"They agreed not to entertain fixers. They will police their own ranks
by documenting and reporting to us any (drug testing center) engaged
in illegal activities or acts in violation of our regulations," he
added.

The LTO is requiring holders of professional and non-professional
driver's license to undergo drug testing when applying or renewing
their licenses in compliance with the Republic Act 4136 or the
Dangerous Drugs Act.

"The drug testing project is part of the enhanced Traffic Safety
Program of the LTO that gives emphasis on the primacy of human life
and its preservation. The program also promotes convenience and safety
in land travel," he said.

The centers are also required to have their own telephone lines and
computers that would be hooked up to the three service providers that
will provide the data base of the LTO.

These three management firms, in turn, are interconnected to the LTO
central data base center.

Lastimoso added that the rationale for the interconnectivity is to
ensure that only those who tested negative for drugs would be allowed
to secure the driver's license."

"We intend to eliminate drug-related accidents. We advise our drivers
to stop their drug habit. You do drugs and drive, you will only lose,"
he maintained.