356 brgy workers undergo drug test
At least 356 barangay workers of Guadalupe and Sapangdaku were subjected to a surprise drug test last Monday.
In a phone call, Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) head Garry Lao, who is in New Zealand, said his office acted upon the request of barangay officials.
“Nagpadala nata og suwat sa barangay captains nga kon dunay mag positive, we recommend for the termination because we are into a drug-free workplace,” he told reporters.
Lao said 280 barangay officials and workers of Guadalupe submitted themselves to the drug testing. At least 76 of 81 workers of Barangay Sapangdaku were also present during the drug testing last Monday.
Lao said he has yet to talk to the officials of Barangay Sapangdaku why five workers failed to show up. Two other workers were said to be in the hospital.
“Labi na kon nakadawat ni nga mga workers og financial assistance sa city, ato gyud paexplainon kon nganong wala sila sa drug test,” he said.
Lao said his office will continue to hold random drug testing in all 80 barangays to ensure that barangay workers and City Hall workers are not into illegal drugs.
Last month, Lao said he sent communications to the barangay captains on the recommendation of COSAP to terminate workers who are tested positive of illegal drug use.
“The Cebu City Government's drive for a drugfree community, especially in the work environments, has been widely disseminated through constant information campaign. There is no reason therefore, for barangay tanods not to know about the City Hall's drive against illegal drugs because in fact, it is the barangay tanods who act as frontliners for this campaign spearheaded by the Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention,” he said.
Being the frontliners of peace and order in the barangays, Lao said tanods should be free from illegal drugs.
“Also, the barangay tanods are receiving monthly honorarium from the Cebu City Government primarily to help in the anti-illegal drugs campaign. It is in this light that the COSAP is recommending for the termination of services of barangay tanods whose drug tests turned out positive,” Lao added.
Sought for comment, Association of Barangay Councils Cebu City Chapter President Franklyn Ong agreed that barangays should take part in achieving a drug-free work place. Ong said that barangay hall serves as the center of barangay governance and a drug-free barangay should be the top priority of barangay captains.
“I believe COSAP has done a very good job in the campaign for a drug-free gov't workplace,” he added.