ABOUT 2,400 in more or less 12,000 business establishments have complied with the Davao City's Drug-Free Workplace Program as of January 23, according to City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (Cadac).
During the I-Speak Forum Thursday, January 23, Cadac technical adviser Donaldo Rivera said those who have not complied yet still have within the first quarter to work on their requirements.
For this year, the Business Bureau has included in the business permit renewal the compliance of all establishments in the mandatory drug testing of their employees and the conduct of a drug-free workplace seminar.
It was made compulsory for service-oriented businesses like fast-food chains, which is estimated to be around 2,500.
Apart from the service industry, Rivera said they also target product-based industries.
Rivera said for those who will fail to comply at the specified period, the agency will conduct a needs assessment of the companies and provide technical assistance for the implementation of the program.
"Dili man ta basta-basta lang mag [revoke] og permit kay panarbaho baya na sa mga establishments. Ang atoa is magbuhat ta'g survey kay aron makahatag na pud ta og technical assistance sa ilaha (We do not immediately revoke permits if they are not able to comply because that is their source of income. What we can do is conduct a survey so we can also give the technical assistance they need)," he said.
He said among the assistance they will provide is the formation and training of drug-free workplace assessment teams within the companies, which will be done by their service-providers like Ateneo de Davao University, University of Mindanao, University of the Immaculate Conception, and Holy Cross of Davao College Inc.
The teams will be tasked to implement the mandate of the drug-free workplace policy.
Under the city ordinance 0506-13, the City Government of Davao has ordered businesses with 10 or more employees to conduct mandatory drug testing as a requirement for business permit acquisition or renewal.