CEBU, Philippines - Before the surprise drug test in Dumanjug town, Cebu was conducted, a male employee of the municipality owned up to using illegal drugs conducted by the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission (CPADAC) yesterday.
At least 87 regular employees were subjected to the drug test, including Acting Mayor Efren Guntrano Gica, who voluntarily submitted himself as a way of “leading by example.”
Apart from the employees, members of the Dumanjug Police Station and Special Weapons and Tactics underwent the screening administered by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
In an interview over the phone, Gica said the male employee was still asked to undergo the drug test despite his admission.
“If found positive, there should be sanctions,” he assured.
The results though were not yet available as of press time.
Gica said it was the first drug test conducted in Dumanjug and was part of his thrust to weed out drug users in the municipal government, as well as in the entire town.
He said that no employee attempted to evade the drug test held at the municipal gym because the area was well-guarded.
“Let’s be serious in our campaign against illegal drugs. We should focus on supply and demand reduction,” he added.
Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 provides that any officer or employee found positive of dangerous drugs use shall be dealt with administratively, the offense being a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of the Labor Code and the Civil Service Law.
In his Facebook post, Gica said he was alarmed by the recent drug-related crimes and the report of the PNP that the town has become the number one hotspot for drug-related crimes in the entire Cebu Province.
“This has to stop lest our children will be the next victims! I call upon all government officials to immediately convene and find an immediate solution to address the series of drug-related violence and stop the illegal drug traffic trade in our town. I also call upon the families and teachers to redouble their efforts to educate young people and business leaders, and society in general to denounce and reject drug trafficking and drug-related violence,” he stated. — (FREEMAN)