In a decisive push to enhance road safety, the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued Department Order No. 2025-008, requiring all public utility vehicle (PUV) drivers—including motorcycle taxi riders—to undergo regular, mandatory alcohol and drug testing prior to employment. The cost of testing will be borne by the operators and owners of the vehicles, not the drivers.
This landmark directive signals the government’s intensified commitment to stricter road safety enforcement under the leadership of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who has called for urgent action to restore public confidence and safety on the nation’s roads.
Transportation Secretary Vince Dizon has been tasked with spearheading the reforms. Following a tragic series of road accidents that claimed multiple lives—including those of children—President Marcos instructed Dizon to overhaul the current system and deliver justice to the victims and their families.
In response, Secretary Dizon announced a series of sweeping safety measures, including:
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Immediate enforcement of regular drug and alcohol tests for all PUV drivers.
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Reduction of maximum driving hours for public utility bus (PUB) drivers from six to four hours per shift.
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Strict implementation of routine vehicle safety inspections.
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Fast-tracked enforcement of the Speed Limiter Law.
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A 90-day immediate suspension for PUV drivers found guilty of abuse or reckless behavior, based on verified citizen reports.
Dizon also expressed full backing for the creation of a Public Transport Safety Board, which would serve as an independent body to investigate accidents and recommend long-term safety policies.
“From the President himself, we are under orders to deliver justice and ensure these tragedies don’t happen again,” Dizon said. “If anyone thinks we’re not serious, they’re mistaken. The old system is gone—it’s clearly broken. Lives are on the line, and we will take this seriously. The Filipino people deserve to feel safe on their roads again.”
