10 enforcers drug positive

CEBU, Philippines — Ten of the 600 Cebu City Transportation Office (CCTO) personnel who were subjected to a surprise drug test last Nov. 28 have tested positive.

No less than CCTO Head Raquel Arce confirmed this to reporters during an interview yesterday.

“Yes aduna gyuy positibo…napulo,” she said.

Arce, though, said she would wait for the City Office of Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) Head Jonah John Rodriguez's official report, as she learned about the 10 personnel's drug test results only through a text message, before officially making a recommendation.

“As soon as maka-receive na ko sa ilahang formal nga communication. Kay, so far, dili pa man to siya formal kay gi-text ra man sa akoa.  As soon as maka-receive na kos communication. Kay, of course, mag-agad gyud ko (sa final report).... Basta akong recommendation gyud ana kay out gyud from the service,” she said.

Arce said she could only recommend these employees' removal from service, as the final decision lies with Mayor Michael Rama.

She said she has not yet called the attention of the 10 personnel because Rodriguez informed her of the test results during an "informal talk" and not through an official communication.

Arce said the 10 who tested positive were casual and job order employees. The result would still be subjected to a confirmatory test.

She also has to determine yet who among the CCTO personnel did not submit themselves to the drug test, as this requires an official report from COSA

The Nov. 28 testing, which started at 5 a.m. and ended at 9:30 a.m., drew complaints from the public, prompting Arce to make a public apology due to the absence of traffic enforcers in the streets, especially during the rush hours.

Arce said she puts premium on conducting a drug test and did it last Nov. 28 to fulfill an annual activity and not to help in investigating a report.

"Very important kay di ko ganahan nga aduna koy tawo sa akong opisina nga gagamit og illegal drugs. Kay I considered it (drug user) as a dunot nga kamatis nga ibutang nimo in a basket full of ripe tomatoes, mutakod gyud sya," she said.

Of CCTO's 600 personnel, at least 400 are traffic personnel. — /RHM (FREEMAN)