15 CH staff absent during drug test

CEBU, Philippines — Fifteen personnel of the Cebu City’s Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) have failed to appear during yesterday’s random drug test.

Only 42 out of 57 PROBE workers were present during the surprise drug test administered by the City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP).

All of them tested negative, said Cosap Chief Garry Lao.

However, the 15 employees who were absent during the tests would still be required to undergo the drug test.

This is in compliance with the city’s new Memorandum No. 072-05-2018 dated May 4, 2018, which enjoins all employees, including the job orders to submit themselves to a drug test.

The policy states that employees who are absent, on leave or on official trip on the day of the drug test should report to COSAP by the time they return to office.

Also, employees who have timed in and out in the biometrics or bundy clock are considered present and shall submit themselves to the drug test.  Those employees who are doing field work during the scheduled test must take it within the day.

Lao said they saw the need to set the policy in order to maintain a drug-free workplace wherein all employees have to undergo the mandatory drug test.

The new policy sits well with PROBE Chief Raquel Arce.

“I am in favor of random drug test. Makatabang man sad na sa opisina,” she said, adding that government workers should always uphold dignity in the workplace.

PROBE worker, 42-year-old Julius Aguilar, also shared Arce’s statement.

“Okay kaayo. Mas maayo gyud na sa among trabaho aron ma-secure mi. If naa’y budget, mas maayo gani unta’g kada semana naa’y drug test,” he said.

In August last year, six Probe workers were tested positive for illegal drug use. (FREEMAN)