17 CH, barangay workers positive for drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Seventeen individuals from the Department of Social Welfare and Services, Barangays Labangon and Sambag 1 were confirmed to be using illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, at least 28 barangay tanods and loaders in Barangay Bulacao underwent the yearly drug test conducted by the Cebu City's Office of Substance Abuse and Prevention (COSAP), hoping that the City will return their honorarium if they tested negative.

COSAP Chief Dr. Alice Utlang said the confirmatory tests were done after these people tested positive in their random drug tests conducted late last year.

"Atong nadawat ang resulta ug confirm sila nga tig-gamitan og ginadili nga drugas," Utlang said.

She said they will forward the result to the HR Department for City Hall employees and to the barangay captains to take appropriate action to those who tested positive in the confirmatory tests.

In Bulacao, Barangay Captain Rodrigo Jabellana asked the help of city to hold the drug test for their tanods and loaders as a way also of clearing their names.

Jabellana said that aside from their yearly obligation to participate in COSAP's drug testing, they also want that the results of the test will confirm that they are deserving to receive the honoraria coming from the city government.

Earlier, Mayor Tomas Osmeña issued a memorandum dated January 24 withholding the honoraria of tanods and garbage collectors effective February 1. — Odessa O. Leyson, Rowena Capistrano (FREEMAN)