DAVAO ORIENTAL— Job order employees of the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental underwent a mandatory drug testing on the Monday during the convocation and general assembly held at the Provincial Capitol.
The said activity, which was facilitated by the Provincial Anti-Drug Abuse Council (PADAC) in partnership with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA), has initially subjected around 500 employees out of the total 2,500 employees to the drug test.
PADAC Action Officer at the same time Provincial Administrator Art Benjie Bulaong said that the activity, aside from being in compliance with the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy which seeks to maintain a drug-free workplace, it is also a prerequisite to renewal of the contract of the job orders.
Prior to the drug testing, an orientation on RA 6713 also known as “An Act Establishing a Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Public Officials and Employees” was presented.
Mr. Bulaong said that the activity is part of the directives of Governor Nelson Dayanghirang “to ensure that all employees, even public officials, regular employees, contractual, job orders, and others should adhere to Executive Order number 66 or the Philippine Anti-Drug Strategy signed by President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and also in accordance with the ordinance from the Sangguniang Panlalawigan and memorandum issued by Governor Dayanghirang.”
Job orders who were found negative from drugs have immediately signed their contract for the months of January to June this year. So far, none has turned out positive. However, Provincial Human Resource Management and Development (HRMD) Department Head Reynaldo Bicoy said that those employees who would turn out positive on drugs will be terminated from service.
On the other hand, regular employees, who are also set to undergo the mandatory test, will be “subject to six months rehabilitation at their own expense and without salary, according to Civil Service Regulations,” Mr. Bicoy said. “A doctor will have to certify that they are fit to work again after six months,” he added.
“If they are mild and moderately affected, they can be catered under Community-Based Rehabilitation Program but if they are severely affected, they will be admitted at the Balay Silangan: Bagong Bahay Para sa Bagong Buhay drug reformation facility,” Mr. Bulaong explained.
Mr. Bulaong added that the activity will continue until January 22 to cater the rest of the job order employees while another 4 days will be allocated for the drug testing of Municipal employees from all over the province.
Despite the regular drug testing activity, Bulaong said that they also conduct “surprise” drug test to all employees so that they “cannot prepare for it because we all know that drugs, especially ‘shabu’, will only last 48 hours in our system.” By Riza Golez/ Photos by Eden Jhan Licayan
