By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

The Bacolod City government will soon require Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) certification before one can acquire a business permit. According to Executive Assistant Sammy Montoyo, the requirement will be formalized once a memorandum of agreement is signed between the city government, government agency, and Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency.
The requirement comes in response to DOLE Department Order No. 53-03, series of 2003, or the guidelines for the implementation of drug-free workplace policies and programs for the private sector. The city official noted, the order mandates all private establishments employing 10 or more workers to undergo drug testing, which is in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 13, series of 2018.
Montoyo said the new requirement will bolster enforcement of the drug-free workplace program./DGB, WDJ