18 Lapu-Lapu workers face axe for ‘drug use’

CEBU, Philippines — At least 18 job order employees of the Lapu-Lapu City government tested positive for illegal drug use during a series of surprise random drug tests recently.

The workers, who come from different departments, will face termination.

More than a thousand employees of Lapu-Lapu City hall underwent drug tests in compliance with the executive order issued by Lapu-Lapu Mayor Junard Ahong Chan, which aims a drug-free workplace environment.

The drug tests ran from July 29 to November 22, wherein 17 offices at the Lapu-Lapu City Hall have so far participated.

Some of these offices were the Office of the Mayor, Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office, LDRRMO, Traffic office, Material Recovery Facility Office, Home Care office, among others.

The results showed that two LDRRMO employees tested positive, seven from the CTMS, six from MRF, and one each from Clean and Green, Solid Waste Management Office, and GSO.

In all, a total of 18 employees tested positive.

According to Garry Lao, head of the City of Lapu-Lapu Office of Substance Abuse Prevention, the purpose of the drug tests is to comply with the executive order issued by the mayor, along with the mandate of the Civil Service Commission.

Lao’s office facilitated the tests.

When asked whether the employees voluntarily submitted themselves for the drug test, Lao said that it was all surprise and random.

“Whether they like it or not, they have to submit themselves for the drug test,” he said.

Lao added that most of those who tested positive were job order employees.

Lao said that Chan has already signed the termination of the 18 employees who tested positive.

Furthermore, Lao stated that CLOSAP will continue the series of drug tests on the remaining offices.

“Before we conduct our drug test, our office conducted first an information drive ana ug mga 30-minute seminar,” Lao said.

Lao further explained that it is not their intention to terminate employees, and that they only want to make sure that employees will not use drugs in the first place since they are public servants.

Lao said that some of those who tested positive admitted that they have used illegal drugs.

However, Lao said that the City Hall is not shutting its doors on employees who tested positive. In fact, after the termination, they can still re-apply.

They have to undergo three-month rehabilitation program provided by the city, though.

After that, CLOSAP will evaluate these employees if they are qualified to re-apply, but it would be up to the mayor to ultimately hire them. (FREEMAN)