By Gideon C. Corgue
PAGADIAN
CITY – The Pagadian City
government on Thursday strictly implemented the mandatory drug test for
government officials and employees.
Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones led the symbolic start of the test and submitted himself to a supervised drug test conducted by City Health personnel and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the New Executive Building, City Hall Complex.
He said the drug testing is in line with the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against illegal drugs.
“This is the city government’s response to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to ‘unite our efforts in curbing the illegal drug problem in the country’, beginning with officials and employees of the city government,” Pulmones stated.
Meanwhile, City Administrator Lauro F. Mendoza lauded Pulmones for the strict implementation of the law on mandatory random drug testing adding that it promotes transparency, integrity and competence in the workplace.
He said all casual employees underwent surprise drug testing and were ordered by the chief executive to gather at the new executive building.
“It was perfect timing because July is the schedule of casual employees for the renewal of their appointment. Drug test is also a basic requirement for their re-entry to the government service,” Mendoza said.
“Nakadayeg ko sa inisyatibo nga gihimo sa hepe ehekutibo tungod kay siya mismo ang nag-una paghimo sa drug testing atubangan sa tanang mga kawani pinaagi pagsumitar sa iyang urine sa mga medical technologist aron nga masusi,” (I admired the initiative of the chief executive because he personally led the drug testing in front of the employees by submitting his urine to the medical technologist for a test) said Allan Paul Marondan, a casual employee of the City Mayor’s Office said.
Another employee of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Arlene Antipolo said she favored the conduct of drug testing saying that some of the drug users and pushers now are women.
Antipolo thought that the chief executive called for an exclusive meeting of all casual employees but she was surprised that when they were all inside the venue, he immediately ordered to close the door and announced that a drug testing will be conducted.
“The drug testing was strictly monitored. The pockets of our pants were examined and they watched us while we urinate. Good that this activity was conducted by the mayor to prevent employees from using and selling illegal drugs because it is the most serious problem faced by our country,” she said.
The chief executive said officials and regular employees will be the next to undergo drug testing at an undisclosed date.
Mayor Romeo P. Pulmones led the symbolic start of the test and submitted himself to a supervised drug test conducted by City Health personnel and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) at the New Executive Building, City Hall Complex.
He said the drug testing is in line with the campaign of President Rodrigo Duterte against illegal drugs.
“This is the city government’s response to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte to ‘unite our efforts in curbing the illegal drug problem in the country’, beginning with officials and employees of the city government,” Pulmones stated.
Meanwhile, City Administrator Lauro F. Mendoza lauded Pulmones for the strict implementation of the law on mandatory random drug testing adding that it promotes transparency, integrity and competence in the workplace.
He said all casual employees underwent surprise drug testing and were ordered by the chief executive to gather at the new executive building.
“It was perfect timing because July is the schedule of casual employees for the renewal of their appointment. Drug test is also a basic requirement for their re-entry to the government service,” Mendoza said.
“Nakadayeg ko sa inisyatibo nga gihimo sa hepe ehekutibo tungod kay siya mismo ang nag-una paghimo sa drug testing atubangan sa tanang mga kawani pinaagi pagsumitar sa iyang urine sa mga medical technologist aron nga masusi,” (I admired the initiative of the chief executive because he personally led the drug testing in front of the employees by submitting his urine to the medical technologist for a test) said Allan Paul Marondan, a casual employee of the City Mayor’s Office said.
Another employee of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Arlene Antipolo said she favored the conduct of drug testing saying that some of the drug users and pushers now are women.
Antipolo thought that the chief executive called for an exclusive meeting of all casual employees but she was surprised that when they were all inside the venue, he immediately ordered to close the door and announced that a drug testing will be conducted.
“The drug testing was strictly monitored. The pockets of our pants were examined and they watched us while we urinate. Good that this activity was conducted by the mayor to prevent employees from using and selling illegal drugs because it is the most serious problem faced by our country,” she said.
The chief executive said officials and regular employees will be the next to undergo drug testing at an undisclosed date.