160 workers undergo drug test
CEBU, Philippines - Some 160 City Hall employees, particularly those working for the Department of Engineering and Public Works, went through a surprise drug test yesterday initiated by the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention.
The drug test came after reports that a City Hall employee figured in a buy-bust operation by the authorities recently.
COSAP head Doctor Alice Utlang received report that a certain Junmar Umpad, a laborer under DEPW, eluded arrest during that buy-bust.
“Usa na sa rason kanang City Hall employee nga subject sa operation sa PDEA. Pero dugay napod na nga issue nga naay mga empleyado sa DEPW nga nalambigit sa illegal nga drugas,” she said.
Utlang said her office will release the results today.
She said one of the employees of DEPW went out of the office when COSAP personnel arrived yesterday for the drug test.
“Naay mga absent, naa pu’y personnel nga mga gi-detail to other office pero katong usa nga nilakaw, aw considered na nga positibo. Wala man gyud nibalik. Nilakaw deretso pag abot sa COSAP,” she said.
Utlang said workers who were absent or detailed to other offices will still be subjected to drug testing.
Those who will be found positive will face a possible termination.
"Ang magpositibo, i-undergo pana sa confirmatory test. Kon positive gihapon, terminate gyud kay naa na sa ordinance,” she said.
“Mas maayong ma-terminate gyud ning mga magpositibo kay kon dili, managhan na sila,” she added.
The Dangerous Drug Board, according to Utlang, also reportedly supports the move to terminate drug-positive workers.
DEPW is the fourth office whose employees have been subjected to mandatory drug test by COSAP.
The other offices are COSAP, Department of Veterinary Medicine & Fisheries, and the Cebu Wildlife Resources Conservation and Protection Office.
All employees under these offices tested negative of illegal drugs.
“Nag target ko’g usa ka office napod nga isunod sa DEPW kay I have received reports nga naay usa ka employee nga manggamitan ug mamaligya pod,” Utlang said. —/JMD (FREEMAN)
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