LOCAL Government Secretary Benhur Abalos Jr. said he will issue an order for the conduct of random and surprise drug tests in Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)-attached agencies, including the local government units (LGUs).

Abalos said this is in line with the government’s campaign against illegal drugsm as well as to ensure that government agencies, especially those under DILG, are drug-free.

The agencies under the DILG were the Philippine National Police (PNP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), National Police Commission (Napolcom), Local Government Academy, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, Philippine Commission on Women, National Youth Commission and Philippine Public Safety College.

He assured, though, that those who will test positive for illegal drug use will undergo due process.

Abalos also urged private companies to also conduct random and unannounced drug testing among their employees.

“’Yung mga private na talagang kami na rin ang humingi ng tulong, baka pupuwedeng mga private companies magkaroon din sila ng sarili nilang drug policy,” he said.

(Maybe private companies can have their own drug policy too.)

“It's up to them, it could be reprimand, it could be suspension, it could be dismissal from service pero one thing is important, may drug policy sila like a random drug testing. Makakatulong ng husto ito dahil kung alam mo ititest ka, talagang iiwas ka rito (This will help a lot because if you know you will be tested, you will definitely avoid using illegal drugs),” he added. (SunStar Philippines)