SURPRISE DRUG TEST. Jonah John Rodriguez (left), head of City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP), explains to Cebu City Hall employees the mandatory drug test as mandated under City Ordinance 1829 before a surprise drug test on Tuesday (Nov. 26, 2019). Rodriguez said the list of city government workers tested positive of drug use rose to 39 after 19 more were found having drug residue in their urine samples in the latest test. (Photo courtesy of COSAP)
CEBU CITY -- City government employees here who are found positive of drug use are being encouraged to register in the “We Care Program” which is an out-patient rehabilitation program of the City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP).
“Actually, we have started to conduct drug tests to barangay workers and officials. But our focus first is to the city hall employees as instructed by the mayor,” said Jonah John Rodriguez, head of COSAP.
In an effort to make Cebu City Hall a drug-free workplace, COSAP continues to conduct random testing, which led to the discovery of 19 more drug-using employees on Tuesday.
With this, the number of workers facing dismissal due to drug use is now 39. Last week, 20 employees from different departments at City Hall were found positive of illegal substance.
Rodriguez said the employees found with drug residue in their urine samples come from 12 different departments of the city government.
“During our surprise drug screening at the Office of the City Assessor, nay duha ni-admit na nagamit sila og illegal drugs then wala nalang namo sila gipa-submit og urine (two of them admitted they are illegal drug users that we forego getting their urine sample) but they issued a written admission,” he said in a message sent to the Philippine News Agency.
However, Rodriguez’s office will still forward the case of the two employees to the Legal Office headed by lawyer Rey Gealon for investigation.
The COSAP head said the conduct of surprise drug test to city government employees is in line with the effort to rid the Cebu City Hall of drug users in support of President Rodrigo Duterte’s intention to make public offices drug-free.
“We will continue to conduct surprise drug screening as mandated by Cebu City Ordinance 1829 which was crafted by then City Councilor and now Mayor Edgardo Labella. This Ordinance 1829 requires all City Hall employees, they be regular, casual, job order or project basis to undergo mandatory drug test,” he said.
As of press time, COSAP was able to conduct drug tests to its own personnel, Department of General Services, Market Administration, Parks and Playground Administration, Department of Social Welfare and Services, Operation Second Chance, Department of Engineering and Public Works, City Legal Office, Business Permit and Licensing Division, Department for the Welfare of the Urban Poor, Department of Manpower and Development and Placement, and City Assessor’s Office. (PNA)
