‘Drug-using’ casual workers to lose jobs

CEBU, Philippines - Two Cebu City Hall casual employees stand to lose their jobs after they tested positive of using illegal drugs during a random drug test by the City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP).

COSAP Executive Director Alice Utlang said she has already endorsed the drug test result to the city Human Resource and Development Office (HRDO) for appropriate action.

 “Naka-submit na mi sa report sa HR.  Posibleng dili na sila ma-renew karong March kay three months ra man ang contract anang casual,” she said.

She, however, declined to identify the employees and the departments they are assigned to.

The report came just a month after four Cebu City Hall employees also tested positive of illegal drug use.

Utlang said two of the four employees were already dismissed from work.

“Ang usa atong sa upat kay regular man so, under investigation pa, and ang usa kay ma-end ang contract inig March,” she said.

Aside from drug testing, Utlang’s office has also been conducting several seminars to discourage employees to engage in illegal drugs.

She said that with 20 Cebu City Hall workers identified as drug users since she started random drug testing last year, the city should intensify its programs and campaigns against illegal drugs.

She said COSAP would coordinate with HRDO to conduct a series of seminars so all City Hall employees will be obliged to attend.

“Atong seminars atong i-course through sa HR nato kay ila nga part ang training and assessment sa empleyado sa siyudad,” Utlang said.

As to instituting random drug testing in the barangays, Utlang said her office is just waiting for the approval of the amendment of City Ordinance 1828 pushed by City Councilor Nestor Archival.

Archival is proposing that drug-testing of government employees should include barangay workers and police officers working in the city.  (FREEMAN)