• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Five more employees of the provincial government of Negros Occidental have tested positive for the use of illegal drugs, according to Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz.
Diaz, however, said that none among the five are regular employees of the provincial government.
Last year, at least 19 Capitol employees, including three regular workers, had tested positive for the use of illegal drugs.
The employees of the provincial government that tested positive for drugs, who are job order workers and hired by an agency, are expected to be dismissed from their jobs, according to Diaz.
In 2023, a total of 20 Negros Occidental provincial government employees tested positive for the use of drugs.
Civil Service Commission guidelines, under Resolution 1700653 dated March 15, 2017, ensures 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.*
