In Mandaue City: 16 traffic personnel fired for drug use

CEBU, Philippines - At least 16 personnel from the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) were terminated from service after they tested positive for use of illegal drugs.

TEAM head Glenn Antigua said they have to dismiss the personnel since the administration will not tolerate drug addicts who are working in the government.

“Ang sanctions and recommendation sa traffic board is automatic termination kay nakaguba gyud na sila sa imahe sa amoang organization,” Antigua said.

Antigua also said that when he received the results that there are personnel from his department who tested positive for illegal drugs, he immediately gathered them for a meeting.

"Atong gi-meeting ang mga nagpositibong mga enforcer sa drugas pero sa 16 ka nagpositibo, siyam lang ang nitunga sa akong pagpatawag," Antigua said.

Job order personnel who are found positive will be terminated while other casual and regular employees will face administrative sanctions.

Random drug testing for officers and employees of public and private offices is already mandated under Section 36 of Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which also calls for the promotion of a National Drug-Free Workplace Program.

Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Regulation 2 Series of 2017, which took effect on March 24, mandates the dismissal from service of all public servants who are found positive for illegal drug use in random drug tests conducted by their respective agencies.

The new DDB regulations states that “any government official/employee found positive for use of dangerous drugs shall be subjected to disciplinary/administrative proceedings with a penalty of dismissal from the service at first offense.” —/JBB (FREEMAN)