Non-hiring of drug-positive workers pushed

CEBU, Philippines — The Cebu City Legal Office (CLO) wants terminated employees, who were tested positive for illegal drug use, barred from reemployment in the city government.

The CLO submitted its special report to Mayor Edgardo Labella relative to the terminated drug-positive employees who were able to return to work at City Hall.

To date, 71 City Hall employees were tested positive for drugs. The City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) has been conducting surprise drug tests on City Hall workers since November 8, 2019.

City Legal Officer Rey Gealon said the employees resigned from their posts or were terminated, but were “readily accepted” by their respective office heads.

“It is noteworthy that since the mayor is the appointing authority, he must be the one who should have accepted their resignation,” said Gealon.

“Be that as it may, those that resigned peremptorily must not be accepted by office heads. For any employee who will be terminated with a cause, they will be barred from reemployment in the city government,” he added.

The CLO recommended to Labella to issue an executive order (EO)/ memorandum directing the Human Resource & Development Office (HRDO) to indicate in its database the names or list of job order/ casual employees, who were found using illegal drugs, who resigned, were terminated and separated, and not to accept their job applications unless and until they can show proof that they availed and completed a drug treatment and rehabilitation program.

The CLO also recommended to the mayor to issue an EO or memorandum reminding all department heads not to accept resignation letters from those employees and instead refer the same to HRDO who shall then endorse them to him for approval and denial.

Aside from those, CLO recommended to amend the existing city ordinance requiring drug test as a continuing requirement for employment.  KQD (FREEMAN)