ILOILO City – Seven job hires of the Iloilo City Hall tested positive for illegal drugs during a random drug testing carried out by the city government.
No less than Mayor Jerry P. Treñas disclosed this on Monday but he declined to name the job hires. He also did not say which departments or offices they belonged.
The seven employees are facing automatic removal from service and will be referred to the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) for proper disposition.
Meantime, the city mayor offered to newly installed ICPO chief, Police Colonel Joeresthy Coronica, the city government’s free drug testing for city policemen; the city was able to procure test kits.
Through of Executive Order (EO) No. 05-2023 issued early this month, Treñas ordered random drug testing among job hires and contract of service (CoS) workers of the city government.
He directed the Uswag Molecular Laboratory to undertake the random drug testing.
Treñas wanted to keep the city government drug-free, citing Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 2-2004, and the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 13-2010.
“Iloilo City has various programs and activities designed to eliminate the illegal drug problem… not only within the city hall premises but including its field departments and offices, and its 180 barangays,” read part of Treñas’ EO.
It was emphasized in the EO that results of the drug tests shall remain strictly confidential and shall abide with the Data Privacy Act of 201.
Job hires and contractual employees positive for dangerous drugs shall be subjected to disciplinary / administrative proceedings, including but not limited to, termination of contract, and those provided for by law.
Those who will not submit themselves to drug testing may be dealt with administratively; the refusal may also be deemed as a workplace misconduct, or a violation of the terms and conditions for the continuity of service, whichever is applicable.
Likewise, failure to do so shall be a ground for termination or administrative sanctions./PN
