The militant transport group Pinagkaisang Samahan ng Tsuper at Operaytors Nationwide (PISTON) has urged the Land Transportation Office (LTO) to refine its existing policies and procedures in issuing professional and non-professional driver’s license instead of heeding suggestions to impose neuropsychological tests as an additional requirement for applicants.

PISTON Secretary General George San Mateo said the mandated drug testing, apart from the written and practical examination, undertaken by driver’s license applicants are “enough” to make sure that all only qualified applicants are issued driver’s license.

He said imposing new tests as additional requirements will be useless if the LTO has not even weeded out fly-by-night drug testing centers that use inaccurate testing protocols, produce fake test results, and offer favorable drug test results to applicants in exchange for extra fees.

“Instead of imposing new requirements to driver’s license applicants, the LTO should perfect the system first by eliminating fixers and strictly implement the existing requirements,” he said.

San Mateo said requiring neuropsychological testing among driver’s license applicants will only be an added expense but will not ensure lessening of vehicular accidents in the future. Driver’s capabilities, knowledge of road safety hazards, and medical condition are among the aspects being considered whenever an accident on the road occurs.

“The problem is in the implementation of the policies. We are aware of the irregularities in drug testing and the other medical requirements where applicants can just pay extra cash to make sure that he or she would pass the test,” he said.

San Mateo and other militant transport leaders have even urged the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) to consider subsidizing the cost of drug testing among public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers during their recent dialogue with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), wherein all of them subjected themselves to a voluntary drug test.

 Earlier, Torres said she is aware of heightening public clamor for the LTO to cancel outright the driver's license of drug users to prevent them from maneuvering the wheels, but claimed that the agency is duty-bound to observe due process in dealing with such cases.

 "It's hard to judge from mere accusations. We can never tell if the accused is really using drugs so we have to bring the matter first to the court before we can finally cancel the driver's license. We will always respect due process," she said.