Four BIN members positive for drugs axed
Four of 17 Barangay Intelligence Network (BIN) members deployed in the Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) were found positive for illegal drug use.
The BIN members were subjected to a surprise drug test yesterday following reports of their alleged use of illegal drugs.
“I just acted upon the request of a concerned citizen maong nitawag dayon ko sa head sa PROBE to conduct random drug testing,” said Cebu City Office for Substance Abuse Prevention (COSAP) head Garry Lao.
The random drug test is stipulated under Republic Act 9165 or The Comprehensive Drugs Act of 2002.
Lao said he coordinated with PROBE head Raquel Arce and they both agreed to terminate the employees tested positive for illegal drugs.
Lao said the outright termination from service of those positive for illegal drug use is the thrust of the current administration.
Arce said though there are still two or three BIN members who have yet to submit themselves for drug testing.
“Kon dili man gud ka magpa-drug test, they are presumably positive gyud. Pero akong ipatawag sa opisina ni sila para pangutanon og diin sila pag-drug test,” she said.
Arce said she will ask the head of BIN to replace the sacked members.
“Ang ako gyud is first, I hate gyud kana nga vice. Dili ko mopatol og tao nga nagbisyo og ingon ana. Kuyaw na sa organization. Mura’g rotten tomato nga kon itupad sa lain, madala ang uban. Maong for replacement gyud. Dili mo-tolerate og ingon ana,” she said.
Also yesterday, newlyhired employees of City Hall underwent a surprise drug test. To date, over 130 newly-hired workers were tested negative for drugs.
COSAP conducted a random drug test on 55 job order and 15 casual employees few weeks ago.
Meanwhile, Lao is scheduled to leave the country tomorrow for a short-term training seminar in New Zealand.
Mayor Tomas Osmeña has chosen Lao to represent the city government in the ASEAN Public Sector Leadership seminar funded by the ministry of New Zealand.
The short-term training scholarships (STTS) aim to address the human resource and development needs of developing countries.
It also provides opportunity for employed individuals to gain knowledge and skills that will contribute to their city’s social and economic development, as well as personal career aspirations.
The seminar, which is at no cost to the city government, will end by December.
Lao said the seminar would help him widen his knowledge on the strategic management techniques in the effective implementation of the anti-drug abuse programs.
“Magamit ni nato kay labi na my office is preparing for a legwork sa atoang establishment sa rehabilitation facility,” he said.
Lao said his absence will not affect the operations of COSAP, adding that activities are already in place for November, which is the drug awareness month.