Brgy surprise drug tests: 13 Ermita workers admit to drug use

CEBU, Philippines - Even before the Cebu City Office on Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) could conduct random drug testing in Barangay Ermita, 13 barangay employees confessed to their barangay captain that they are drug users.

“Una akong expectation upat o lima ra gyud, nakurat ko nga trese wala ko magdahom kuyog-kuyogon pa nako,” Ermita Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta said.

Of the 13 who admitted, 11 are barangay tanods, one is a street cleaner and the other is a loader.

He said those who admitted to taking drugs will be made to undergo rehabilitation provided by the city government. After three months, he will base his decision whether or not to re-hire them upon the recommendation of COSAP chief Dr. Alice Utlang.

“Nag-meeting ko. Ako sila gipahibaw nga if ma-positive gani out gyud,” Rupinta said.

Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella said although they admitted to using drugs they still have to be removed from work.

“In fairness pud nila, it’s good that they admitted because it is a violation of the law,” Labella said, adding that they should be advised to stop working.

Under Article 3 Section 36 of Republic Act 9165 of the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, “officers and employees of public offices, shall be subjected to undergo a random drug test as contained in the work rules and regulations, which shall be borne by the employer, for purposes of reducing the risk in the workplace. Any officer or employee found positive for use of dangerous drugs shall be dealt with administratively which shall be a ground for suspension or termination.”

It is also stated on the Cebu City Ordinance 1829 that all employees of the city government of Cebu are required to undergo compulsory drug testing as pre-employment requirement and annual random drug check-ups.

Utlang said that of the 226 employees and officials of the said barangay, 159 have undergone the drug test.

Earlier, she said that they will conduct another drug test for those who did not come.

During the drug testing in Ermita yesterday, no one was found positive for drug use. Rupinta added that in his barangay he will strengthen checkpoints and continue seminars against illegal drugs.

Meanwhile, in another random drug testing conducted by COSAP yesterday in Barangay Kamagayan, two employees who are Barangay Environmental Officers also admitted that they are drug users.

According to Utlang, one BEO said that he stopped using illegal drugs last December while the other one stopped just last month.

“Gisigihan man ingon ni Kapitan (Raquel Avila) kada monthly meeting nila nga paundangon na gyud ang naggamitan kay dili na siya mohatag og chance kon ma-positive,” Utlang said.

The two will also undergo the free rehabilitation program provided by the city government.

The other 55 employees and officials who took the test tested negative for drug use.

So far, COSAP has conducted drug testing on 48 of the city’s 80 barangays; 146 individuals, excluding those who admitted, have been found positive for drug use.

Labella is urging the barangays to take action regarding this problem. — /BRP (FREEMAN)