CHED execs undergo drug testing

MANILA, Philippines — Top officials of the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) underwent mandatory drug testing last Monday in support of the government’s campaign against illegal drugs. 

CHED officer-in-charge J. Prospero de Vera said the drug testing, which will also be conducted randomly to other staff of the commission, is consistent with a circular issued by the Civil Service Commission (CSC) on the conduct of drug testing for government officials. 

He said the activity is a health intervention measure to ensure that individuals who have problems with drug dependency are identified and given appropriate health and psychological assistance. 

“This is not meant to penalize government workers,” he said. 

“We want to make sure that all individuals in the commission are performing their functions well and that there are no obstacles to their delivery of efficient public service,” de Vera added.

Under CSC guidelines, government agencies like CHED are required to conduct mandatory, random and suspicion-less drug testing of their incumbent public officials and employees as a condition for retention in government service.

Officials and employees with urine specimens found positive in the screening test shall be required to go through confirmatory testing within the same day. 

If the specimen is found positive from the confirmatory testing, the concerned employee will undergo drug dependency examination to be conducted by the Department of Health. 

Joining De Vera in the drug testing activity were CHED commissioners Ronald Adamat and Lilian de las Llagas, deputy executive director Napoleon Imperial and directors of CHED central and regional offices.