The Bacolod City government here has intensified efforts in achieving a drug-free workplace through the conduct of a series of random drug tests for employees targeted to start by the end of this month.
As part of the preparations, the drug-free workplace committee, together with Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-Negros Island Region Director Marjorie Ballesteros, discussed the implementing guidelines in a coordination meeting led by City Administrator Mark Steven Mayo on July 7.
In an interview on Wednesday, Mayor Greg Gasataya said that discussions have already begun and that concerns regarding the conduct of drug testing for city government employees will be addressed in the next meeting.
“Although it’s not mandatory, everyone should be transparent. In my case, I’ve been doing this since I assumed the post of mayor. I have undergone drug tests several times. As a local chief executive, you should be a role model to the employees,” he added.
After he assumed office last year, Gasataya issued Executive Order 54 to institutionalize the drug-free workplace program.
He noted that from January to early July this year alone, the Bacolod City Police Office confiscated 16.6 kilos of shabu with a street value of about PHP113 million.
In a separate interview, Mayo said the drug test will cover 50 percent of the total number of employees in each department, whether regular, plantilla, or contract-of-service personnel.
“There will be three kinds of tests. First is the screening test, with an initial test result. If the result turns out positive, a mandatory confirmatory test will follow. If the employee still has a positive result, the employee concerned has the right to challenge the test. This time, the employee will have to shoulder the testing fee,” he added.
Mayo stressed that this is the due process mechanism provided in the conduct of the drug test.
“There will be intervention from the city’s Department of Social Services and Development for those who are willing to undergo rehabilitation,” Mayo said.*PNA
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