Over 130 brgy workers test positive

CEBU, Philippines - The Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) has recorded over 130 barangay workers who tested positive for drug use as it has completed random drug testing on 76 out of 80 barangays in the city.

Based on COSAP’s records so far, there were 83 barangay loaders, 29 barangay tanods, at least 15 barangay drivers, two street cleaners, one traffic aide, one maintenance employee, and one electrician have tested positive for drug use.

Test results for barangay employees who were found positive for drugs have been sent to Manila for confirmatory testing which is estimated to take about two to three months.

Utlang admitted that those found positive in the confirmatory test will be automatically terminated from service and will undergo rehabilitation under the “We Care” program of COSAP.

Barangay workers still have a chance to come back to government service once they are fully rehabilitated.

The random drug test conducted in all barangays is part of the performance evaluation required by Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña for the release of the workers’ allowances. To recall, last February, the mayor withheld the allowances from the city pending performance evaluation.

Meanwhile, at least 27 employees in the city government were also found positive for drug use. Those who tested positive were from the offices of Department of Engineering and Public Works, Parks and Playgrounds, and Department of Public Services.

The city government this year has set aside P1 million for the expenses necessary to conduct random drug testing.

Among the 76 barangays that have already gone through the random drug testing were Sto. Niño, San Antonio, Buhisan, Pahina San Nicolas, San Nicolas Proper, Calamba, Pasil, Kalunasan, Mambaling, Kinasang-an, Kamagayan, Tejero, Carreta, Hipodromo, Mabolo, Day-as, Lorega San Miguel, Cogon Ramos, Malubog, Bonbon, and Inayawan.

Also finished with the drug testing are Barangays Guadalupe, Kinasang-an, Labangon, Tisa, Punta, Tinago, San Roque, Ermita, Basak San Nicolas, Quiot, Cogon Pardo, Sta. Cruz, Pahina Central, Sambag I, Sambag II, Talamban, and Banilad, among others.

COSAP Head Dr. Alice Utlang in an interview vowed to finish the drug testing in the four remaining barangays before the new COSAP head assumes office in June. New COSAP head Barangay Tejero councilman Garry Lao will assume office this June after Mayor Tomas Osmeña designated him to the said position.

During the May 2016 elections, Lao ran as city councilor under Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan but did not get enough votes to secure a seat in the council. —/JBB (FREEMAN)