27 OJT traffic enforcers test negative for drugs

CEBU, Philippines — To ensure a drug-free workforce, the City of Lapu-Lapu Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (CLOSAP) has recently conducted a surprise drug test on 27 on-the-job (OJT) traffic enforcers.

CLOSAP executive director Garry Lao, however, said that all these traffic enforcers were tested negative.

“The aim of the drug testing is to ensure that all employees are drug-free, particularly since they are responsible for enforcing certain laws in the city,” said Lao, in a statement.

Lao cited Mayor Junard Chan’s Executive Order (EO) No. 35 which mandates the strict implementation of drug-free workplace policy among all departments and offices of the city government.

According to City Traffic Management System (CTMS) program manager Mario Napule, the surprise drug test was his initiative to ensure that they are all drug-free.

Napule added that there is a need for a drug-free workforce to ensure public safety.

This is not the first time that surprise drug tests have been conducted on employees at the CTMS.

In 2019 and 2020, at least seven and four traffic enforcers, respectively, were dismissed from their job after testing positive of illegal drug use.

In 2022, at least six employees working for CTMS have tested positive for illegal drug use. — GMR (FREEMAN)