BACOLOD CITY — More than 400 workers of the Negros Occidental provincial government, including Vice Governor Eugenio Lacson, underwent a surprise drug test on Monday.
The drug test was conducted after the Capitol’s culminating activity for the 118th Anniversary of the Civil Service Commission (CSC) held at the Negros Occidental Multi-Purpose Activity Center.
Anabelle Palic, head of the Provincial Human Resource Management Office, said they are implementing the CSC Memorandum Circular No. 13, Series of 2017 which provides for the random mandatory drug test for public officials and employees.
Those subjected for drug test filled out a chain of custody form, and submitted specimen samples and biometrics data.
Palic said the surprise drug test was intended only for employees based at the Provincial Capitol.
There will be a separate schedule for employees in provincial government offices outside Bacolod and also for staff of district hospitals.
The Negros Occidental provincial government has about 2,100 workers, with 800 in the Capitol offices.
Lacson, who tested negative for drugs, said the provincial government’s compliance to the mandatory drug test shows that Negros Occidental is one with President Rodrigo Duterte’s campaign against illegal drugs.
Based on the CSC guidelines for a drug-free workplace, government agencies must observe the procedures prescribed by the Dangerous Drugs Board in conducting the mandatory drug test.
The drug test shall only be conducted by a government drug testing laboratory or by a drug testing laboratory duly authorized and accredited by the Department of Health.
The guidelines stated that officials or employees who refuse, without any valid reason, to submit themselves to drug testing shall be charged with administrative offense of gross insubordination, which could lead to suspension from the service on the first offense and dismissal for the second offense.
Officials or employees who tested positive and refuse to undergo treatment or fail to complete their intervention program shall be charged with grave misconduct, which could result in dismissal from the service on the first offense, it added. (Nanette Guadalquiver/PNA)