GOVERNMENT employees who test positive for illegal drug use will now be given the opportunity to undergo rehabilitation instead of being immediately dismissed.
This is according to Mandaue City’s head of the Substance Abuse Mental Health and Services Office (Samsho).
Samsho Chief Ben Manzano said the City’s revised policy is aligned with a recent Supreme Court ruling that said drug use and addiction are not merely criminal acts but health issues requiring treatment.
The ruling stemmed from the case of a Muntinlupa City engineer who was initially dismissed after testing positive twice for shabu but was later reinstated by the Court, citing the need for rehabilitation as a first step.
“Dismissal may only be considered if the employee refuses to cooperate or fails the intervention program,” Manzano said.
“The Supreme Court has made it clear that drug use and addiction are not merely crimes, they are health issues that require treatment,” he said.
This principle is now embedded in Mandaue City’s newly-passed Enhanced Drug-Free Workplace Ordinance, which replaces the previous “one-strike policy” where employees, particularly those on job order (JO) or contract of service status were immediately terminated after testing positive for illegal drugs.
On the other hand, permanent employees previously faced administrative sanctions regardless of the severity of use.
Under the new policy, employees who test positive must first submit to a drug dependency examination to determine the extent of their condition.
The results guide the appropriate health intervention, rather than immediate punitive action.
“We’re happy that this new approach is being institutionalized. Hopefully, this will be reflected in future amendments to Republic Act 9165, so we adopt a more human rights-based and health-oriented approach in addressing drug issues,” Manzano said.
Implementation
Mandaue City has already tested 239 employees so far this year, up from 182 in the same period last year. The rise is attributed to the return of drug test kits, which ran short last year.
Notably, positive cases have declined from 24 last year to eight cases this year within the same time frame.
The affected employees have admitted to using drugs to stay awake and energized during long work hours.
“They said they took drugs to boost their energy and remain alert during their duties,” Manzano said.
The employees have been undergoing rehabilitation for the past six months at their own expense, and the City continues to monitor their progress.
“Our rehabilitation program is designed to allow them to continue working in the morning, while attending treatment in the evening. We also have recovery coaches who assist them throughout the process,” Manzano said.
“This doesn’t mean we condone drug use. We are treating substance use disorder as a mental health and medical issue. But if employees engage in criminal activities such as pushing or selling drugs, they will still be subject to law enforcement. That’s already beyond the scope of a health-based approach,” he said.
Random drug testing has resumed across City departments and barangays after a temporary pause due to the shortage of kits.
Manzano said testing has ramped up, especially with the incoming administration.
“Under the ordinance, we have a committee that determines which departments or barangays will be targeted for random drug testing,” he said.
The City aims to cover all departments, offices, and barangays at least once every two years through rotation.
Mandaue’s drug-free workplace policy has been in place since the early 2000s, following the implementation of Republic Act 9165, but the enhanced version was institutionalized only in 2025. / CAV