• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Five more Negros Occidental provincial government employees were tested positive for the use of illegal drugs, Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II said.
Diaz, however, said that none of the five are regular employees.
Last year, 19 Capitol employees, of which three are regular workers, had also been tested positive for illegal drug use.
Those who are job order workers and hired by an agency are expected to be dismissed, Diaz said.
In 2023, a total of 20 provincial government employees tested positive for the use of drugs.
The Civil Service Commission guidelines, under Resolution 1700653 dated March 15, 2017, ensure that government agencies remain drug-free for the effective and efficient delivery of public services.
It states that drug testing is required for initial entry to government service and those found positive for drug use shall not be hired or appointed.
As a condition for retention in service, incumbent public officials and employees shall submit to mandatory random drug testing. | GB
