Capitol workers positive for drugsto face dismissal

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III is determined to dismiss from service the nine Capitol employees tested positive for illegal drug use.

Out of  the nine employees, five are outsourced, one regular, and three are casuals.

 Davide said that he would send notice to the outsourcing agencies where the five employees belong.

 â€œAs what I said, I don’t want drug users in the provincial government. Katong mga outsourced, pahibaw-on namo ang ilang agency nga di na mi ganahan nila,” he told reporters.

 The governor, however, said the regular and casual employees will still be referred to the committee on discipline and investigation headed by provincial admi-nistrator Mark Tolentino for formal investigation.

 â€œSi Attorney Tolentino will convene the committee. Ang purpose sa CODI is to notify the (employees). But they still have the right to contest it (finding). They can go to an accredited testing center,” Davide explained.

 Under the Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of  2002, any public officer or employee found positive of using dangerous drugs shall be dealt with administratively.

The offense would be a ground for suspension or termination, subject to the provisions of the Labor Code and the Civil Service Law.

The random drug test was conducted as part of the province’s thrust to intensify the anti-drug abuse council of the local government units in the province, Davide said.  He considered the result of the drug test at the Capitol as alarming.

“It’s alarming. We presume man gud nga if you are working in the provincial government, you are physically and mentally fit,” Davide said.

At least 200 Capitol employees were called to undergo the random drug test last week but only 169 were eventually tested.

Cebu Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Commission executive director Joey Herrera said that some were absent or had already scheduled on leave.

Davide, however, said that the CODI will still have those who were not around explained their absence. (FREEMAN)