BACOLOD City – Four regular city government employees were placed under a 60-day preventive suspension pending an investigation.
They were among the 53 who turned out positive for illegal drugs in a random drug test.
These four were detailed at the Bacolod City Traffic Office (BTAO) – an office staff and three traffic enforcers, according to BTAO head Police Major Junji Liba.
City Legal Officer Romeo Carlos Ting Jr. said yesterday they already drafted the suspension order awaiting the mayor’s signature.
Aside from the four regular employees, 28 job orders (JOs) from BTAO also tested positive for illegal drugs.
The rest of the city government employees who tested positive for illegal drugs were assigned at the Public Order and Safety Office.
Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez earlier said all JOs who would test positive for illegal drugs would be terminated.
Due to the termination, the BTAO is now hiring new traffic enforcers to replace the 28.
But Liba said they will be more strict and will require drug testing for applicants./PN
