Capitol employee positive for drug use

CEBU, Philippines - A male outsourced employee at the Capitol yesterday tested positive for illegal drug use during a random drug test conducted by the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Commission.

The employee was detailed at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources Office. He was among the 37 out of 40 employees assigned at PENRO who were subjected to the test.

CPADAC executive director Joey Herrera said the result, however, is still subject to a confirmatory test which will be out five days from yesterday.

Herrera said the three other PENRO employees who did not show up in the drug test will be asked to explain their absence.

According to Herrera, most Capitol offices hold a staff meeting every Monday.

“Kasagaran offices sa Capitol mag meeting gyud on Monday with the staff. From there nasayod ko kung unsang opisinaha, didto nako nag select randomly and today it’s PENRO,” said Herrera.

It was the second round of random drug testing conducted at the Capitol. During the first round, nine Capitol employees were tested positive. Some of those found positive for drug use, especially outsourced employees, were already dismissed from the service.

Herrera said one of those terminated contested the findings and is now subject of an ongoing investigation.

Governor Hilario Davide III vowed to dismiss from the service those who are found to be drug user. (FREEMAN)