3 Mayors support ‘cleansing’ of ranks

CEBU, Philippines - Following the call of Governor Hilario Davide III for local governments to clean their ranks of drug users, three mayors say they are willing to conduct random drug tests but raised one concern – funds.

Joey Herrera, executive director of the Cebu Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Council (CPADAC) said Daanbantayan Mayor Augusto Corro, Moalboal Mayor Inocentes Cabaron, and Naga City Mayor Val Chiong have informed him that they are supporting Davide’s call.

However, Chiong said Naga City does not have money for the test.

“Ako mismo, as well as ang mga employees, okay ana. Ang funding man, mahal kaayo na uy,” he said.

Two years ago, the city conducted a surprise drug test and two employees were found positive of using drugs. The employees were suspended for six months.

“Diha man ta’y gidudahan sa atong mga sakop nga naggamitay og drugas,” Chiong said.

Herrera said the CPADAC is yet to discuss the monetary concern, considering it only has a budget of P5 million for this year.

“Ang gusto sab nila, sa mga mayor, nga ang probinsya maoy mogasto. I will leave it to the commission. We can always ask for supplemental whenever there is a need,” he said.

He said the anti-drug abuse council in most LGUs in the province has been reactivated since January but funding has not been set.

“Mao unta nay output ang pag-set aside og fund. But since karon pa mi nag-awhag, obviously for this year wa pa gyud naapil. Mao na siguro ang ilang gusto nga since wa pay budget, gusto nila nga ang CPADAC mao sa lang ang mogasto,” Herrera added.

Davide, for his part, said he will also discuss the matter with the mayors. He earlier urged the mayors  to lead by example  by submitting themselves to a random drug test.

The provincial government has been conducting series of random drug testing during which 14 employees have already been found positive of drug use.

On the first round of the random drug test conducted by the Cebu Provincial Anti-drug Abuse Commission at the Capitol last month, nine employees were found positive of shabu use, one of whom is a regular employee. A male outsourced employee  detailed at the Provincial Environment and Natural Resources was also found positive of shabu use during the second round of random drug test.

Tuesday last week, the third round of the random drug test was conducted at the Cebu South Bus Terminal during which four workers were found positive. Three reportedly used shabu while the other one reportedly used ‘marijuana.’  (FREEMAN)