• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
The number of government employees tested positive for drugs in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental has increased to 27, with nine more added to the list, based on the December drug testing results.
Mayor Renato Gustilo said yesterday that of the latest nine, two are regular employees while seven others are casual and job order workers.
Before the end of 2023, a total of 140 city employees underwent drug testing, which was initiated by the City Anti-Drug Abuse Council in compliance with the memorandum issued by the Civil Service Commission.
Gustilo said regular employees tested positive for illegal drugs will have to undergo confirmatory testing while casual or job order workers will be dismissed immediately.
The annual drug testing is aimed at ensuring drug-free government offices in San Carlos City, he added.
Despite the stern warning that they can lose their jobs, it remains a mystery why there are still employees who keep on using illegal drugs, the mayor said.
Meanwhile, Gustilo admitted that San Carlos City is being used as a drop-off point of illegal drugs supply from Cebu City, based on the investigation of the city police.
As soon as the anti-illegal drugs campaign is being relaxed, the supply of drugs being hidden in San Carlos City is being transported back to Cebu, he said.
“If the traffickers apprehended, it will destroy the name of San Carlos City since the confiscated illegal drugs comes from the city,” Gustilo added.
He pointed out that while it is the job of the police to address the problem on the proliferation of illegal drugs, the city government will continue to conduct drug testing among its employees.
The mayor also assured the police that he will not interfere, if some of their followers or dependents, would be arrested in illegal drug operations. | GB
