Carcar City Hall workers undergo random drug test

CEBU, Philippines — At least 150 employees of Carcar City Hall went through a random drug-testing yesterday as part of the city government's campaign against illegal drugs.

"Ma-trace nato og duna pa ba gyud nahabilin nga mogamit anang ginadiling drugas," said Carcar City Mayor Nicepuro Apura.

Apura told The FREEMAN yesterday that they want to make sure that government employees are not involved in the use of illegal drugs, also in line with the requirements of the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO).

"Part  ni sa atoang programa pud, sa City Anti Drug Abuse Council ug sa CPADAO pud. Mao man ni gi-recommend gyud. Maghimo gyud og kanang random drug testing every year," he said.

Apura added that the random drug testing is part of his administration’s agenda to make the city free from illegal drugs.

“The drug-testing is compulsory,” Apura said.

Apura added that City Hall job order (JO) and casual employees who will test positive for drug use will be automatically fired from their jobs, while regular employees will be subjected to investigation.

During the drug testing yesterday, Apura said employees who will test positive will be given another chance to work for the government, provided that they can stay away from drugs.

"Ako gi-advisan sila na kung kinsa tong mahibaw-an nga positive, kinahanglan mag bag-o mo, ma-reporma, dili na gyud mogamit. Unya balika ko ninyo mga two years after," Apura said.

Carcar City Hall employs 600 employees including JOs and casual workers.  Apura said they will continue doing random drug tests for the rest of the employees.

Results of the drug test will be released after a week, Apura said. (FREEMAN)