Drug test for Cagayan Valley workers pushed

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya, Philippines – Cagayan Valley’s regional development council (RDC) and regional peace and order council (RPOC) have asked the Civil Service Commission to issue an order for government workers throughout the region to be included in proposed random drug tests.

The two councils – both chaired by Quirino Gov. Junie Cua – asked for the CSC’s help to implement a resolution issued last week. Quirino is one of Cagayan Valley’s five provinces.

The drug test for government workers, the RDC said, will be applied only to those seeking promotion and applicants for government jobs.

The RDC and the RPOC had earlier proposed random drug testing for secondary and tertiary students amid reports of increasing cases of youths taking illegal drugs.

The RDC said the proposal to test government workers stemmed from a recommendation of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to ensure that new employees and those seeking promotion are not addicted to drugs.

The two councils earlier asked the Department of Education and the Commission on Higher Education to implement random drug tests for secondary and tertiary students.

“Random drug testing will help eliminate illegal drug use among the youth and will ensure all educational centers to achieve an illegal drug-free learning environment,” the resolution states.

The implementation of drug tests for government workers and students, the RDC said, would be led by PDEA.

The resolution came as the PDEA region confirmed that drug syndicates are using the youth in their illegal trade.