Drug-positive Sangguniang Kabataan exec loses allowance from City Hall

CEBU, Philippines — The monthly allowance of a Cebu City Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) councilor, who tested positive for illegal drug use, is withheld.

Mayor Tomas Osmeña has approved the suspension of the official’s allowance as recommended by the Cebu City Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP).

The SK councilor, whose name is withheld pending the result of the confirmatory test, receives a monthly allowance of P2,000 from the city government.

COSAP Chief Garry Lao said the councilor appeared at his office Monday and admitted to using drugs. The councilor claimed he was driven to the vice by influence of friends.

Lao said the suspension would only be lifted if the councilor completes the three-month We Care Program.

The program is initiated by the city government to help users and dependents recover from drug addiction. Drug users and dependents are provided with free treatment.

Lao said the councilor will undergo the community-based rehabilitation in his barangay starting tomorrow.

The councilor was found positive for drug use during a surprise drug test in an upland barangay on January 25.

COSAP facilitates drug test on all officials and employees pursuant to Section 36 (d) of the Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, which mandates private and public offices to hold drug test. — Raizza Aliviado USC Intern KBQ (FREEMAN)