Governor Davide urges mayors to undergo drug test

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III has urged all local chief executives in the province to set as an example to their employees by submitting themselves to a drug test.

Davide issued the call following the arrest of the market administrator of Dumanjug for his alleged involvement in the illegal drug trade.

 "As chief executives, they should lead. Sila gyod ang mag-una for drug test, (they) should show really to their co-workers and their constituents diha sa municipality," Davide said.

Davide himself underwent a drug test before a series of random drug testing was conducted in various departments at the Capitol. So far, at least 14 Capitol employees have been tested positive for illegal drug use.

He said that Capitol employees should lead by example in the thrust of the anti-drug abuse council to intensify anti-drugs efforts in local government units.

Provincial Board Member Ivy Durano-Meca, co-chairperson of the Cebu Anti-drug Abuse Commission, supported the governor's call.

Meca said that although public officials are not compelled to undergo drug test, they should show as "good examples" in the local government units.

"It would be best that it will start from them. I encouraged them to let their constituents know that drug is really serious and the province is really addressing it," she added.

CPADAC executive director Joey Herrera, in a separate interview, said that the commission has reactivated the Municipal Anti-Drug Abuse Councils in most municipalities in the province.

He also urged all municipalities to follow the examples set by CPADAC by also conducting drug test to municipal employees.

"Kaning among gibuhat sa CPADAC, this is our encouragement already to the towns. Kami nag-encourage nila (officials) to conduct programs sa ilang munisipyo just like drug test ba ron sa ilang empleyado. Then sila pod magpakita og example aron ma-epektibo sila sa ilang programa," he added.

Agents of  the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency-7 arrested Wednesday Dumanjug market administrator Perfecto Amadora during a raid in Barangay Cogon.

Authorities recovered during the operation several packs of shabu, a digital weighing scale, drug sniffing paraphernalia, and two .45 pistols inside his house.

Also arrested during the raid were Ronilo Mequizo, 33; Emilio Sabino, 33; Michael Piega, 40; and Lover John Castro, 20 all from the said town. — with  Maria Arvie Baguhin, FSUU Intern/ FPL (FREEMAN)