18 traffic enforcers fired after positive drug test

CEBU, Philippines — At least 18 job-order (JO) personnel of the Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) have been terminated from service after testing positive in a random drug test last week.

In a press briefing yesterday, October 19, Mandaue City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. announced that Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano decided to terminate the employment of those personnel last Friday, October 16.

The random drug testing was conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Office last October 13.

At least 300 traffic personnel underwent testing, with 18 testing positive.

“Seryoso ang admin to set an example. Di sad ta ganahan nga naa sila sa field, critical ilang function, unya some of them are under the influence of drugs. Di na pwede kay public safety ilang trabaho,” Malig-on said.

Malig-on said the city government was serious about addressing drug use among its employees.

“That is a big message. Immediately gitangtang,” he said.

He added that even personnel who performed well in their jobs but tested positive will not be exempted from the policy.

“Bisan pa og may’ng laki ka, pero naa ka sa drugs, positive ka, tangtang g’yud. Wala tay pilion ana… Pasensyaay lang ta kay siguro naa tay uban mga kaila, but that is how we run the city,” Malig-on said.

He said the 18 personnel would still have to undergo confirmatory testing following the initial drug test.

“Although for confirmation pa na siya, part man na sa protocol, but to show the resolve of the city and safety pod sa workplace, gi-terminate sila,” Malig-on said.

Malig-on said the random testing was initiated by the city government. TEAM was the second city office to undergo random drug testing this year. No personnel tested positive in the first office tested in August.

He added that two more city offices will undergo random drug testing before the end of the year.

“We will be conducting two more as part sa program sa City of Mandaue,” Malig-on said.

Malig-on said the termination of the personnel served as a warning from the administration of Ouano.

“We have to come up with a decision and inform the public that the city cares sa iyang welfare sa empleyado, welfare sa public nga giserbisyohan ani nila,” he said.

Malig-on added that Ouano and TEAM head Hyll Retuya had discussed how the agency could continue its operations despite the removal of the personnel.

Following the development, Malig-on said Ouano had decided to require drug clearance from all JO applicants before hiring, in addition to the existing requirement for regular employees.

“Nihisgot ang mayor we might as well require sa mga JO. Sa una wala ra man ni, dili ra sa regular para malikayan ni ang ingon ani nga revelation,” Malig-on said. — (FREEMAN)