PB member seeks Capitol drug test

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Provincial Board (PB) Member Carmen Durano-Meca is pushing for a surprise random drug test for Capitol officials and employees.

In a proposed resolution, she said all elected and appointed officers and the employees, whether regular, casual, or contractual, should undergo the drug test.

Meca heads the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drugs Abuse Commission (CPADAC).

"CPADAC is... campaigning against (illegal) drugs. But prior to that, it is best to clear first the Provincial Government of Cebu," she said.

Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of  2002, provides for a random drug testing among the public officers and employees.

Under the law, any officer or employee found positive of dangerous drugs use shall be dealt with administratively, the offense being a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of the Labor Code and the Civil Service Law.

"To ensure that the Province of Cebu serves as a good example to all government employees and to the public in general, there is a need to conduct surprise random drug testing in the offices of the Province of Cebu," read the proposed measure.

The CPADAC, Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, Provincial Health Office, and the Provincial Budget Office are meeting tomorrow to discuss the proposal.

The resolution was supposedly endorsed for approval by the PB in its regular session yesterday but was withdrawn pending the said meeting.

"Next week na gyud na nato ma-pass. Kay we need to have a coordination meeting first," Meca said—/RHM  (FREEMAN)