LTFRB to study drug-test process for long-haul drivers
THE LAND Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) said it needs to study how it would conduct drug testing for drivers, especially those who are assigned to long-haul trips. “We will study how we will do it. Because now, drug testing is not yet mandatory for drivers of public utility vehicles (PUV). The board will talk about how we will do it, not just for PUVs but for all drivers as well,” LTFRB Board Member Aileen Lourdes A. Lizada told reporters in a message. This is in response to a statement from President Rodrigo R. Duterte who said last week that he will push for bus drivers to be tested for drug use before heading for a long drive. “I will insist on that. All bus drivers, before departing for long travels, should undergo a drug test,” he said. Mr. Duterte also noted that backup drivers are necessary for long road trips as exhaustion is the usual reason drivers turn to drugs. LTFRB said it already follows a memorandum circular limiting continuous driving to a maximum of six hours and requiring an alternate bus driver who is not the bus conductor. — Denise A. Valdez
SENTRO says workers’ plight won’t get better with Duterte policy
LABOR COALITION Sentro ng mga Nagkakaisa at Progresibong Manggagawa (SENTRO) has called the attention of the government over an international report putting the Philippines among the top 10 worst countries for workers’ rights. SENTRO was referring to the International Trade Union Confederation’s (ITUC) recently released annual report, which noted that, “In a context of extreme state violence and suppression of civil liberties, workers and trade unionists in the Philippines faced threats and intimidation.” SENTRO said even the Executive Order 51 issued by President Rodrigo R. Duterte will not address the thorny contractualization issues. “Rather than realize his campaign promise to end contractualization, the issuance only further legitimized the problem,” SENTRO Secretary General Josua T. Mata said in a statement. The country’s status, he added, puts the government in no position to fight for the millions of overseas Filipino workers. “The problem is, our own government do have (sic) the moral ascendancy to demand rights for our workers abroad when the Philippine government itself can’t protect its own citizens,” Mr. Mata said. — Gillian M. Cortez
Snapshots: 120th Philippine Independence Day
Fly the flag
Workers of the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) assist in fixing the national flag during the 120th Independence Day celebration at Rizal Park in Manila on June 12.
Freedom Fighters
Talisay City College students perform a mini musical play in tribute to the generals from Talisay City, Cebu who fought the Spanish colonizers. The performance was held at the Kagawasan exhibit at the Ayala Center Cebu, which will run until today, June 13.
Independence defenders
Members of the different organizations of the Armed Forces of the Philippines join the 120th Philippine Independence Day celebration in Zamboanga City.
