5 traffic enforcers in Lapu-Lapu dismissed for drug use

FIVE of the six traffic enforcers working for the Lapu-Lapu City Traffic Management System (CTMS) who failed the surprise random drug test conducted in August have been fired.

This was disclosed by Garry Lao, executive director of the City of Lapu-Lapu Substance Abuse and Prevention (Closap), after the confirmatory test results of those who tested positive among the 59 personnel randomly tested on Aug. 1, 2022, were received by his office on Thursday, Sept. 8.

The traffic enforcer who tested negative during the confirmatory test will be reinstated, but Lao said they will continue to monitor him.

All six enforcers were hired by the City as job order workers, Lao said.

He said two of the six traffic enforcers earlier confirmed that they were using illegal drugs and that they are now attending the Closap’s drug rehabilitation program once a week.

Three of the six personnel, including the one who tested negative during the confirmatory test, contested the results of the random drug test, as they were reportedly taking medication during the initial test.

Lao told them to wait for the confirmatory test results, adding that the five personnel who were confirmed positive for illegal drug use could write a letter addressed to the Human Resource Development Office if they wanted to contest the results.

The CTMS has more than 240 personnel, but only 59 were subjected to a surprise random drug test in August.

Seven and four traffic enforcers were reportedly dismissed from their job after testing positive for illegal drugs in 2019 and 2020, respectively.

Lao said they require those found positive for illegal drug use to undergo rehabilitation, but he stressed that this is not an assurance that they will be reinstated or the City Government will rehire them.

He warned all City Hall employees that Closap will conduct another surprise random drug test in selected departments or offices next week.

He said they have conducted several surprise random drug tests this year, but he could not yet give the exact data.

The drug test on all City Hall employees was done in compliance with Executive Order 35 issued by Mayor Junard “Ahong” Chan, or the “Drug Free Workplace” program, according to the Closap executive director.