1 Cebu City SP employee tests positive of drug use

CEBU, Philippines — An employee of the Office of the Sangguniang Panglungsod of Cebu City tested positive of drug use in a surprise drug test conducted by the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) last Friday.

Of the 263 employees, 186 employees were subjected to the surprise drug test.

Most of the employees assigned at the Vice Mayor and Legislative Office are casual employees while those assigned at the SP Secretary are regular employees.

Lao said that it is always good to know if employees of the government are drug-free.

“Under my watch, wala pa man ta ka drug test ani nila. And of course, we want a drug-free work place. Ang uban nga mga department ato nang na drug test, so it would be fit and proper that the office of the Sangguniang Panlungsod mapaubos sa drug test,” he said.

Those who were absent have to file a written explanation to the Human Resource Development Office (HRDO).

Bernadette Senit, an employee of the Vice Mayor’s Office, said she welcomes the conduct of a surprise drug test in their office.

“Okay ra. No problem. It’s the best way to know if our employees are using illegal drugs,” she said.

Dioscaro Pagas, an employee of the SP Secretary, agrees with Senit.

“Walay problema. Mas maayo noon para mahibaw-an kung naa bay positive or negative sa paggamit og illegal drugs,” he said.

Meanwhile, Lao revealed that he already requested HRDO to let the 30 traffic aid to explain why they failed to undergo the drug test conducted last May 12.

One of the three traffic field enforcers who tested positive of illegal drug use was cleared after it was established that the positive result was because of maintenance drugs intake.

Employees who test positive of illegal drug use will be terminated, a policy of Mayor Tomas Osmeña.

“Yes, of course (termination) kay nagamit man sila, kay mao man sad ang policy ni Mayor,” Lao added.

COSAP has already conducted surprise drug tests in 16 offices and in the Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP). —  Joyce Ann Gabutan, CNU Intern (FREEMAN)