The provincial government of Negros Occidental is validating reports on the use of illegal drugs, and even alleged drug peddling activities inside the Capitol establishments.
Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz recently confirmed receiving consistent reports of drug problems, not only using, but even the selling of illegal drugs at the Capitol.
The provincial government is set to conduct another bidding for the purchase drug testing kits to be used in the random drug testing of its employees, after the first bidding failed.
Diaz said they are hastening the bidding of drug test kits “to really identify who they are.” But he stressed that the rumors remain unsubstantiated, as of this time.
He also did not reveal how many provincial government employees are allegedly involved.
It’s not that alarming, Diaz said, adding that in a way, they initially imposed discipline by being transferred to other assignments, in order to limit movements.
But we cannot really conclusively say that he is a suspect, as there is no drug testing yet, he added.
Diaz said the Human Resource office has already been instructed to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, to identify possible targets of drug testing.
“The governance of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is abiding with the law and responsible government, that involves being fit for work,” he stressed.
“Indulging in substance abuse, renders us not in a good condition, to render public service mentally, emotionally and physical,” Diaz said.
Meanwhile, Fifty-three more local government employees in Negros Occidental have tested positive for illegal drugs, bringing to 78 the number of employees who turned out positive in drug testing since last month.
The 53 employees assigned at the Bacolod Traffic Authority and Public Safety Offices were among the 663 job order casual government workers who underwent the surprise drug testing on August 1, as facilitated by the Bacolod City government.
Of the 53 Bacolod City employees, 32 are assigned at the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office and 21 others are at the Public Order and Safety Office. Four of the BTAO personnel who tested positive are regular employees, according to City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) coordinator, retired Brig. Gen. Primitivo Tabajura, disclosed on Aug. 2.
Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez disclosed on Tuesday that all those who tested positive for illegal drugs will be terminated from their respective jobs, and will undergo rehabilitation.
Benitez, who himself underwent drug testing, which yielded a negative result, said he will call other public officials to do the same, in order that the general public may have a confidence that government servants are not involve in using illegal substance.
He added that Bacolod City department heads will also undergo drug testing.
This campaign started July 29, since they were targeting about 22 female clients who were to be remitted to the Balay Silangan Reformation Center. All of them have undergone drug, physical, and neuro tests. The Balay Silangan staff and medical team were also made to undergo drug test which yielded negative results, Tabujara said.
He believes that consultants hired by the city should also undergo drug testing, he said.
Tabujara said they have recommended to the mayor that employees who have tested positive for illegal drugs should be subjected to interview and asked if they are willing to support the anti-illegal drugs program of the city. He has also scheduled a general drug use assessment on August 10 to determine whether they are categorized as low-risk, mild or moderately affected. Those recommended for termination will have a chance to be reemployed if they pass the rehabilitation and other intervention programs of the city.
They will also subject other city employees to random drug testing since they have received information from the police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency that there are those who are using illegal drugs (shabu or marijuana), he said.
Bacolod Vice Mayor El Cid Familiaran said he is ready to undergo drug testing anytime since they should serve as role models.
He also believes that all government employees should do the same, Familiaran said.
Tabujara, meanwhile, said that only Barangay 27, out of the 61 barangays in Bacolod City is not involved in the anti-illegal drugs program of the city. According to the barangay captain, he will delegate the job to the next elected barangay captain.
Brgy. 27 is one of the most drug affected barangays in Bacolod City and he has already reported to the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) its non-participation in the anti-illegal drugs program of the city, he added.
Last week, Don Salvador Benedicto Mayor Lawrence Marxlen De la Cruz also dismissed six job order status employees of Don Salvador Benedicto, after testing positive for the use of illegal substances.
Eighteen other employees of the Silay City government in Negros Occidental, also lost their jobs after testing positive for the use of illegal drugs.
Another one also tested positive for drug use in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental, disclosed Mayor Renato Gustilo. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)