Labella wants SP employee dismissed for drug use

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu City Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella wants the employee of the City Council who tested positive of illegal drug use to be terminated immediately.

He also demands an explanation from one of the employees who refused to undergo the drug test that Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) conducted last May 18.

COSAP head Garry Lao said that he already informed Labella about the employee who tested positive and also about the one who refused to undergo the test.

"Ako na gi-inform si Vice Mayor nga naay usa nag positive and ako sad gi-inform na naay usa sa mga SP na who was present pero wa nagpa-drug test." said Lao to The FREEMAN.

Lao said that it is a clear violation of the memorandum issued by Office of the City Administrator and the existing ordinance requiring all government employees to undergo a mandatory drug test.

The concerned person sent a letter to Lao stating his explanation on his refusal.

"According to him, sa iyang written explanation nga he was not feeling well, gi-high blood kuno siya. But according to our staff, gi-inform siya dili siya kay nagpa-reflex," Lao revealed.

Lao checked the daily time record of the Human Resource Development Office and he confirmed that the employee was present on the day of the drug test.

Lao suggested to HRDO to conduct a preliminary investigation against to the identified regular employee.

Most of the employees assigned at the Vice Mayor and Legislative Office are casual while those assigned at the office of council secretary are regular.

Meanwhile, the Cebu Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CPADAO) commended the City of  Naga for having the best drug-free workplace practice among local government units (LGUs).

Naga is the only LGU so far that conducts a random drug testing to its employees every month.

Mayor Kristine Chiong said that those who are confirmed positive of illegal drug use cannot renew their contract with the city government.

However, an employee who tested positive and volunteers to subject himself to a community-based treatment program or a separate rehabilitation program will be given a chance.

"Nindot man sab pud nga mohatag tag opportunity, second chance ba sa mga gusto ng mag-usab," she said.

Chiong added that establishments in their city are "enjoined" to observe a drug-free workplace, too.

"We encourage business establishments to also ensure that they have a program ensuring a drug-free workplace," she told reporters at the Capitol.

KEPCO, one of  the big companies in the city, has declared that it has a drug-free workplace, according to the mayor.

"It does not stop here whether in the community, in the barangay or in the workplace, it continues. It is a daily fight. This fight is a continuing fight not only by the city including pud sa atong mga partners and stakeholders sa atong dakbayan sa Naga," she concluded. — Rena Mae R. Gocotano CNU Intern/MBG (FREEMAN)