The 3,000 employees and elected officials of the Negros Occidental provincial government are undergoing mandatory drug testing, in compliance with the memorandum circular issued by the Civil Service Commission.
Gov. Eugenio Jose Lacson was among the Capitol employees and elected officials who underwent drug testing at the Provincial Capitol in Bacolod City.
The mandatory drug testing will continue until December 12, while for those assigned in Capitol managed hospitals, it is slated for December 15.
All will be subjected to drug testing, and nobody is exempted, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz disclosed recently.
For those who may try to evade it, Diaz said they will impose sanctions. As government employees, they knew that it was bound to happen, and they have to accept it as a condition for their renewed employment, he stressed, apparently referring to drug testing.
As a matter of procedure that is accepted in all local government units, the provincial government is doing its share to ensure a drug free workplace at the Capitol.
Asked if they got information that some Capitol employees may have been using illegal drugs, Diaz answered in the negative.
But he said they have “intelligence information” that some personnel assigned in other establishments and institutions surrounding the Capitol are allegedly using illegal drugs.
On Dec. 9, a local government employee was among eight suspects arrested during a buy-bust operation in Brgy. E. Lopez, Silay City, Negros Occidental, that yielded P54,000 worth of suspected shabu.
Mayor Joedith Gallego yesterday said he is now verifying the information with the Silay City Police.
In previous months, 39 employees of the Silay City government have tested positive for illegal drugs, of which majority are Job Order workers.
Gallego said he has not been remiss in his duty of constantly reminding them to stay away from illegal drugs, as it may not only affect their work, but also their families.
(Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy by TVDS)
