8 more Ermita workers confess to using drugs

CEBU, Philippines - Eight more workers of Barangay Ermita confessed before the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention that they are using illegal drugs.

The admission came after 13 workers of the same barangay also admitted to Barangay Captain Felicisimo Rupinta that they are using illegal drugs before they were subjected to a random drug test last week.

COSAP chief, Dr. Alice Utlang said the eight employees include one Barangay Environmental Officer (BEO) and seven decloggers.

Rupinta said he will verify the information and vowed to terminate them. Last week, 11 barangay tanods, one street cleaner, and one loader admitted to Rupinta that they are drug users.

 Rupinta said did not expect to have this number of barangay employees using illegal drugs

  “Una akong expectation upat o lima ra gyud, nakurat ko. Wala ko magdahom kuyogkuyogon pa nako,” Rupinta said.

He said they will undergo the three months drug rehabilitation program provided by the city government.

However, Rupinta said he will depend on the recommendation of Utlang if they these workers will be allowed to work again in the barangay.

Acting Mayor Edgardo Labella, on the other hand, said these employees should be removed from their work.

Although, Labella admired them for admitting that they are drug users.

“In fairness pud nila, it’s good that they admitted because it is a violation of the law,” Labella said.

 Article 3 section 36 of Republic Act 9165 known as Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 provides that, “officers and employees of public offices, shall be subjected to undergo a random drug test as contained in the work rules and regulations, which shall be borne by the employer, for purposes of reducing the risk in the workplace. Any officer or employee found positive for use of dangerous drugs shall be dealt with administratively which shall be a ground for suspension or termination.”

 It is also provided in the Cebu City Ordinance 1829 that all employees of the city government of Cebu are required to undergo compulsory drug testing as pre-employment requirement and annual random drug check-ups.

Ermita has 226 employees and officials, 159 of them have undergone the random drug test last week. No one tested positive, except for those who admitted using drugs and were not anymore tested. (FREEMAN)