CH to sack 11 drug positive workers

CEBU, Philippines - At least 11 employees of Cebu City Hall will be terminated after they were tested positive of using illegal drugs during the random drug testing conducted by City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP).

COSAP chief Garry Lao said Mayor Tomas Osmeña ordered him to clear the City Hall from drug addicts.

“That’s the order of the mayor, if you are positive, there is no compromise,” he told The FREEMAN.

Lao said six of the employees are from Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (Probe) team while five of the 11 employees are from City Market’s Office.

COSAP conducted separate drug testing among employees of PROBE and Market’s Office last August 22 and August 17, respectively.

Since he assumed office, Lao said there are 27 employees of City Hall, including the 11, who were found positive of illegal drug use from June to August 22.

They come from Community Environment and Natural Resources (8), Department of Public Services (2), City Assessor’s Office (5), PROBE (6), and City Market’s Office (5).

Osmeña earlier said the city will terminate all City Hall employees and barangay workers who will be tested positive of illegal drug use.

He said he will not allow those who have undergone rehabilitation to go back to work as it would encourage users to do rehab just to be reinstated in the position.

“The moment you found guilty, you’re terminated,” he said.

Since February to August this year, at least 134 barangay workers from 12 Cebu City barangays were found positive of illegal drug use. —/FPL (FREEMAN)