5 more CH workers found drug positive

CEBU, Philippines — Five more Cebu City Hall workers were tested positive for illegal drug use, bringing the number of drug positive city government workers to 57.

Jonah John Rodriguez, head of the City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP), said two of the five workers are from the City Treasurer’s Office; two are Barangay Health Workers funded by the city; and one is from the Anti-Mendicancy Office.

Meanwhile, six out of 195 fire volunteers recently subjected to drug screening were also tested positive for illegal drug use. Since November 8, COSAP has been conducting surprise drug tests to city hall workers.

Mayor Edgardo Labella lauded COSAP for the continuous drug screenings among the 5,000 City Hall workers. The mayor said that drug positive workers will have to face the consequences.

Labella, however, assured that regular employees will be given due process while casual workers will not be renewed.

It was Labella who authored an ordinance requiring a drug test as pre-employment requirement for the City Hall when he was still a councilor. Under the same ordinance, employees may also be subjected to random drug tests.

COSAP will continue conducting surprise drug tests among City Hall workers to make sure that the city government is drug-free, and to support the anti-drug campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte. (FREEMAN)