Two job order (JO) workers of the San Carlos City Agriculture Office have tested positive for the use of drugs, Mayor Renato Gustilo said Tuesday, February 13.
They tested positive when the San Carlos City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (SCCADAC) conducted its first drug testing activity for 2024 on Monday involving 250 regular and job order employees of the City Agriculture Office.
They were positive on initial screening and will be subjected to confirmatory laboratory tests.
Random drug testing is a mandatory requirement of the Civil Service Commission through Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, for a drug-free workplace, Ana Liza Macaraya of the SCCADAC Secretariat said.
The San Carolos City government also conducted numerous drug tests in 2023 resulting in 16 JO workers and four permanent employees testing positive, Joe Recalex Alingasa Jr., City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer, said Tuesday.
Gustilo said JO workers who test positive are dismissed from their jobs.
CSC rules must be followed for regular employees who test positive, he said.
Gustilo said regular employees who test positive must agree to undergo rehabilitation and if they refuse the city government will file charges against them.
Of the regular employees who tested positive in 2023 two underwent rehabilitation and one resigned, Gustilo said.*