37 ‘drug-positive’ workers to be given due process

CEBU, Philippines — All is not lost for the 37 Cebu City Hall workers who tested positive for illegal drug use and may face termination.

Mayor Edgardo Labella said the workers will go through due process, adding that he is willing to help them if they seek rehabilitation.

The workers, who came from different departments, were found positive in the series of surprise drug tests initiated by the City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) since November 28 as part of the administration’s drug-free workplace policy.

Five of the 37 have resigned.

The 37 workers include five from the Market Operations Division; 10 from the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification, and Enforcement team; nine from the Department of Engineering and Public Works; four from the Department of Public Services; three from the Department of Manpower, Development and Placement; two from the Department of General Services; two from the Parks and Playground Committee; and one each from the City Registrar’s Office and the Operation Second Chance.

Labella said the regular employees, who were found positive for illegal drug use, will be given due process while the casual employees will not be renewed anymore.

“We will let them explain. Basta regular employee, you cannot just remove him without just cause. You have to give him the opportunity to submit his answer or counter-affidavit on the complaint that will be filed by the COSAP,” said Labella.

The mayor, meanwhile, lauded COSAP, saying the discovery of 37 “drug-positive” workers indicates that the office is doing its job.

It was Labella, when he was still a councilor in 2000, who authored an ordinance requiring a drug test for City Hall pre-employment.

Under the same ordinance, employees may also be subjected to random drug tests. (FREEMAN)