For drug use: Seven casual workers out of CH

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Hall’s Human Resource and Development Office (HRDO) disclosed yesterday that the services of the seven casual employees who were found positive of drugs have not been renewed.

“Naa may proseso. Among gipatawag, we gave them the option. Positive man mo, naa ra ninyo, casual man mo di na mistil i-terminate, i-end jud ang service,” said Dominic Dino, head of HRDO.

“Kay naa man sa appointment sa casual nga their service may be ended depende sa appointing authority, nya ang appointing authority ni opt man nga i-end ang ilang service,” Dino said.

Last week, Dr. Alice Utlang, head of the City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) reported to the City Council that the seven employees still continued working despite having refused to undergo rehabilitation.

Out of the at least 1,000 employees of the city government, nine were found positive of drug use during the random testing last month. One of the nine agreed to undergo rehabilitation while one other no longer returned to work.

Mayor Michael Rama himself said city and even barangay employees found positive of drug use must be terminated.

“Naa pa nay mahitabo diha kitay pasanginlan. Kabaw ka, anyone who is into drugs will never be in control sa ilahang mental facilities,” Mayor Michael Rama said.

There were also 100 barangay employees found positive of drug use but Utlang said the prerogative to terminate lies with the barangay captain, something that Rama opposes.

“Dili ko mosugot anang discretion because remember kas-kas lang ta testing-testing nila,” the mayor said.

“I will make the barangay captain responsible if something happens and that is being perpetrated by an employee who is into drugs, that means the captain must be probably condoning. Maybe he is also into promoting drugs,” he added.

Rama said those who agree to undergo rehabilitation should be allowed to return to work only after completing the process.

“Pabalika lang sila og ayo na. A barangay is not a rehabilitation center - as simple as that. A barangay is a service center. And if you will be manned with a people with drug tendencies and into drugs, what kind of barangay are you having?” Rama said.

Yesterday, five more barangay workers were found positive of using shabu during a surprise drug test in Barangay Caretta.

These include three tanods, a Gender and Development (GAD) worker, and a Barangay Environmental Officer (BEO).

The City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) conducted the test to 65 officials and employees of the barangay.

The result brought to 116 the total number of barangay workers in 39 barangays found using illegal drugs, said  COSAP head Alice Utlang.

Utlang said no less than Caretta Barangay Captain Eduardo Lauron requested for the test.  —/JMO (FREEMAN)