Tanods skip drug test, considered “positive”

CEBU, Philippines - Unless they have valid reasons for skipping a drug test, 12 tanods and workers would be considered as having tested "positive."

Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse and Prevention Chief Alice Utlang said that of the 133 tanods and garbage loaders of four Cebu City barangays scheduled for drug testing yesterday morning, only 122 underwent the screening.

The barangay workers of Inayawan, Quiot, Basak San Nicolas, and Cogon Pardo converged at the Quiot sports complex for the drug testing.

"Katong magpositibo, i-undergo pa na sa confirmatory test. Kon positive gihapon, terminate gyod kay naa na sa ordinance nga any barangay nga mo-retain sa maong employee will be considered as protector. Kay ang dapat ila tabangan ang employee to attend rehabilitation or intervention,"Utlang said.  The result would be out today.

She said the 12 who were absent were five garbage loaders from Inayawan and Basak San Nicolas and seven barangay tanods from Inayawan, Basak San Nicolas and Cogon Pardo.

Utlang said that the absence of the barangay workers is tantamount to them having tested positive, unless they have valid reasons, and the barangay would have to terminate their services.

She said series of the drug testing in the 80 barangays of the city is part of the ongoing evaluation of their workers.

"Naa tay data before nga ang tanod maoy number one sa barangays nga user followed by loaders ug drivers," Utlang said, adding that they would collate the results of all drug testing conducted and submit it to the Office of the Mayor.

As of now, workers from barangays Poblacion Pardo, Bulacao, Basak Pardo, Sawang Calero, Suba, and Duljo Fatima have already underwent the drug testing. (FREEMAN)