21 town workers tested positive

CEBU, Philippines - A total of 21 municipal employees in Balamban and Asturias tested positive of illegal drug use during a random drug test conducted by the local government and the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission.

Balamban Mayor Ace Binghay confirmed that 19 of his municipal employees were found positive of illegal drug use. He, however, did not give further details since he was having a meeting that time.

“I’m still in a meeting. Yes it’s true 19 tested positive during the drug test,” his text message read.

The FREEMAN tried to contact him last night but the calls were left unanswered.

Meanwhile, two employees of Asturias were also tested positive of drug use. The initial test results of the urine samples are now subject of a confirmatory test.

The random drug test was conducted Tuesday by the municipal government in coordination with the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission.

Asturias Mayor Alan Adlawan admitted that the two are job order employees under his office. He, however, said he could not yet impose sanctions pending the result of the confirmatory test.

Adlawan vowed to terminate the two employees if the confirmatory test is positive. He said no municipal officials, including him, were subjected of the drug test, and that he was not even informed of the impending drug screening.

He added that the municipality will continue intensifying its effort to curb illegal drugs in the area.

“Lisod kaayo gyod rong panahona, grabe gyod ang drugas. But we, our police, are working to address that,” he said.

CPADAC executive director Joey Herrera said there were 58 employees out of 60 underwent the drug test. He said two were on-leave that day.

Herrera said this is the ninth local government unit that partnered with CPADAC for the conduct of random drug test in line with the province’s thrust to weed out drug addicts in the LGUs.

Other LGUs have already taken their initiative to conduct their own anti-illegal drugs activities such as random drug screening. CPADAC proposed P5-million budget next year to intensify its anti-drug campaigns and programs and assist Cebu LGUs in the conduct of drug screening.

Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 provides for a random drug testing among the public officers and employees.

Under the law, 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. (FREEMAN)