DRUG TEST. Five members of the Zamboanga City's Traffic Enforcement Unit yield positive in a surprise random mandatory drug test on Tuesday (Aug. 2, 2022). They face administrative sanctions after the confirmatory tests. (Photo courtesy of Zamboanga CIO)
ZAMBOANGA CITY – Five of the city's 57-member Traffic Enforcement Unit (TEU) subjected to a surprise random mandatory drug test turned positive for illegal drug use on Tuesday.
City Administrator Mario Yanga said the surprise random drug test was conducted upon instruction of Mayor John Dalipe, who has been receiving complaints about alleged irregularities committed by TEU members.
The alleged irregularities included extortion and other misdemeanors.
Yanga said the five will still be subjected to confirmatory tests.
“Those who will be confirmed positive of drug use will be administratively sanctioned following due process,” he said.
The traffic enforcers were given orientation on proper grooming as well as employee conduct and behavior at work before they were subjected to rapid drug testing, he added.
The TEU is under the Office of the City Administrator and has 100 members.
“Another round of surprise random drug testing will be conducted for city government employees anytime soon,” Yanga said.
The last time the city government conducted a surprise random drug testing for its employees was in 2018.
The drug test, conducted by the Zamboanga Anti-Drug Abuse Council through the City Health Office, is in line with a Civil Service Commission (CSC) memorandum circular in 2019 that directs the mandatory random drug testing for public officials and employees. (PNA)
