5 Lapu-Lapu government workers dismissed for illegal drug use

CEBU, Philippines — At least four job order workers and a casual employee of the Lapu-Lapu City government were dismissed from service after they were found positive for illegal drugs during a surprise drug test conducted by the City Health Office.

Mayor Paz Radaza said these JO workers are assigned to different City Hall departments and were part of City Hall employees who undergone the drug test in December last year.

“They are from different offices,” Radaza said in yesterday’s press conference.

The J0s and the casual employee were dismissed from service last December 20.

Radaza said the random drug screening was part of the city’s internal cleansing.

The mayor explained those involved in illegal drugs should not continue to serve the city because they only bring bad image and affect the city government’s services.

The city also implements a yearend evaluation of employees in every department.

“I ask every department head nga mohinumdum sa ilang sakop to improve,” Radaza said.

The city government went through evaluations and workshops in every department in order to identify strengths and weaknesses, Radaza said.

Lapu-Lapu City government has more than 3,000 employees, including JOs. (FREEMAN)