SAN SIMON -- This municipality has strengthened its drug-cleared status after its local government employees tested negative of illegal drugs.
All 241 local government and barangay officials and employees, and fire and police officers tested negative of the substance during the random drug testing held at the municipal covered court, said Municipal Health Officer Dr. Marline Bagtas.
Mayor Abundio "Jun" Punsalan, Jr., who also submitted himself to drug-testing, said the activity is in accordance with the Civil Service Commission Resolution No. 1900238 which specifies guidelines for the regular mandatory random drug testing of government officials and employees.
Under the said guidelines, any official or employee found positive of prohibited drugs at the first instance shall be required to undergo a mandatory rehabilitation or counseling program depending on the severity of drug use.
Those who refuse to undergo such or fail to complete the rehabilitation program shall be formally charged with administrative offense of grave misconduct.
"Fortunately, we do not have to send to rehabilitation centers any of our employees and even local officials as no one tested positive for the use of illegal drugs," he said.
Punsalan urged fellow local government officials and employees, especially law enforcers, to keep the municipal hall and its attached agencies a drug-free workplace.
"We must be role models of other workplaces because we cannot enforce the anti-illegal drive bannered by President Rodrigo Duterte's administration if we, ourselves, do not abide it," he said.