16 Danao City workers test positive for drugs

CEBU, Philippines – At least 16 employees of the city government of Danao were found positive of shabu use during a random drug test held yesterday.

Joey Herrera, executive director of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission, however, said the result of the screening is still subject to a confirmatory test to be conducted in a private laboratory. The process would take around a month.

Herrera reported that another male employee admitted to be a drug user and refused to give his urine sample.

Danao City Mayor Ramon Durano III reportedly assured that the erring employees would be dealt with accordingly.

“I was told by Mayor Durano nga ipa-confirm sa before he could impose sanctions. Kung JO (job order) employees, taktakon diritso but if regular, ipaagi pa og process,” Herrera told The FREEMAN over the phone.

There were 195 permanent and job order emplo-yees subjected to the drug screening. Herrera said it was the city government which requested for the drug test, the first conducted in cooperation with CPADAC.

The initiative was also in line with the town’s effort to weed out drug users in the city government and establish a drug-free workplace, he added.

According to the Provincial Information Office, the result of the drug test yesterday was the highest so far among the local government units in the province.

CPADAC has already conducted drug tests in 17 provincial offices and 22 towns and cities since March 2014.

The FREEMAN contacted Mayor Durano III for more details and comments but he could not be reached.

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. —/FPL (FREEMAN)