LTO wants control over drug testing firms

MANILA, Philippines - The Land Transportation Office (LTO) on Wednesday reiterated its plans to supervise drug testing for motorists who are applying for driver’s license. In his report aired over GMA News’ “24 Oras,” Alex Tinsay quoted LTO chief Alberto Suansing as saying that his office has been receiving various complaints about several unscrupulous drug testing firms. Due to this, he said drug testing business is best left to the LTO. “LTO is also being whipped on drug testing when in fact we have nothing to do with it. We might as well make dip our fingers to it,” Suansing said. The report said at present, only the Department of Health (DOH) has the sole authority to accredit drug testing centers. But under the proposal, the LTO will be the one to assign which drug center an applicant will go to. If the plan pushes through, Suansing said they will strictly implement section 37, article 3 of the Dangerous Drugs Act. Sec. 37 of Dangerous Drug Act states that, "any person.... who issues false or fradulent drug test results... shall suffer the penalty of imprisonment ranging from six years and one day to twelve years and a fine ranging from one hundred pesos to five hundred thousand pesos.” As of press, there are about 500 DOH-accredited drug testing firms in the country. Suansing said they would minimize the number to make their supervision more efficient.- Aie Balagtas See, GMANews.TV