Random drug tests to continue

DAVAO City Mayor Sara Z. Duterte-Carpio said Monday that random drug testing among City Government employees will continue this year.

Speaking in her weekly press briefing on Monday, the city mayor said the random drug testing will include even her department heads.

Duterte-Carpio said all employees of the City Hall regardless of their ranks and position are not excused from such policy that aims to rid the City Government of drug-users and drug-dependent personnel.

Duterte-Carpio said she has been receiving persistent reports of government employees, still in active service, who are into illegal drugs.

She clarified, however, that this does not mean that many employees of the City Government, including her department heads, are into illegal drugs.

"Daghan lang nawung ug adik dira pero dili mana sila adik (Many of my employees may look like drug addicts but they are not)," she said in jest.

The mayor warned city workers who are actively using drugs, after five men from the city's Traffic Management Center (TMC) were tested positive for illegal drugs in September last year.

Duterte-Carpio even advised city personnel who are into illegal drugs to seek professional help. (JOP)