By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

At least 30 Dumaguete City Hall employees were dismissed after testing positive for illegal drugs.

In an interview by GMA News yesterday morning, Dumaguete City Administrator and Human Resource Manager Dinno Depositario said the fired employees consisted of job order employees who have not reported for duty since the termination of their contracts last March.

Depositario also confirmed some employees that have tested positive are regulars, however, with the “security of tenure,” they are subject to investigation before being formally dismissed.

He added, even though they tested positive, it does not mean they are addicted to illegal drugs use.

The termination occurred following the release of drug testing results, which were administered last year to all 1,785 City Hall employees.

Depositario noted the fired employees would be given a chance to be rehired if they complete the local government’s “wellness program.”/DGB, WDJ