Share on facebook
Facebook
Share on twitter
Twitter
Share on email
Email

19 Capitol employees test positive for drugs

• GILBERT P. BAYORAN

Nineteen more employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government tested positive for the use of illegal drugs, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz disclosed on Monday.

Diaz said three are regular employees, 10 are job order and Contract of Service workers, while the six others are guards of a security agency contracted by the provincial government.

A total of 1,800 employees of the Negros Occidental provincial government were subjected to drug testing in December last year, on orders of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, which is aimed at ensuring a drug free working environment.

Diaz said that the job contracts of those that tested positive for job order and CoS workers were not renewed, effective January this year, while the results of the three regular workers will be subject to confirmatory testing.

“They can opt to undergo rehabilitation, if they want to be reinstated. Otherwise, we will file charges for grave misconduct against them,” he added.

As to the six security guards, Diaz said they will inform the security agency that they should not be assigned to provincial government facilities.

In 2023, a total of 20 Negros Occidental provincial government employees also tested positive for the use of drugs.

The Civil Service Commission guidelines, under Resolution 1700653 dated March 15, 2017, ensure that government agencies remain drug-free for the effective and efficient delivery of public services.

It states that drug testing is required for initial entry to government service, and those found positive for drug use shall not be hired or appointed.

As a condition for retention in service, incumbent public officials and employees shall submit to mandatory random drug testing.*

ARCHIVES

Read Article by date

February 2025
MTWTFSS
 12
3456789
10111213141516
17181920212223
2425262728 

Get your copy of the Visayan Daily Star everyday!

Avail of the FREE 30-day trial.