MANILA – A partylist lawmaker on Tuesday urged the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to subject to random drug testing incumbent barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials to weed out drug users in the most basic unit of government.
Kabayan Rep. Ron Salo said the random drug testing must be done as soon as possible especially with the barangay and SK elections already in the offing this May.
“I further propose that the DILG start with those barangay officials whose names appear in the PNP (Philippine National Police) drug watchlist,” Salo said.
” I also appeal that those found positive be subjected to disqualification proceedings observing due process provided by law,” he added.
Salo cited Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, which authorizes random drug testing of current or incumbent officers and employees of public offices.
Salo said the DILG could conduct the random drug testing in collaboration with the Department of Health, which has the manpower and resources.
He said the results of the random drug testing must be published before the elections so that the electorate will be duly informed. (PNA)
