23 DPWH workers test positive for drugs

MAASIN CITY, Philippines  – The chief of the Department of Public Works and Highways office in Southern Leyte is asking the help of DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson after 23 employees of the agency tested positive for drugs.

District engineer Ma. Margarita Junia wrote Singson on Aug. 19, asking him to decide on the fate of the 23 employees.

Junia ordered a surprise drug test on Aug. 17 after a worker was arrested in March for drug trafficking.

The suspect claimed he was supplying drugs to employees of the engineering office.

Junia blamed the low performance of the local engineering office to employees’ drug abuse.

“Their performance was erratic and unreliable and their output was erroneous and needed to be repeated,” she said.