The city of San Carlos in Negros Occidental through the San Carlos City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (SCCADAC) conducted its first surprise drug test of the year for government employees at the Barangay 6 covered court yesterday morning.

A total of 97 employees consisting of 49 Bantay Dagat workers, 36 job orders and 12 regular employees of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office in the operation sector underwent the surprise drug test supervised by the health personnel of the San Carlos Doctors’ Hospital and assisted by the San Carlos City Police Station.

Ana Liza Macaraya, Legal Assistant II and SCCADAC Secretariat, said they need to conduct a random drug test every year even with the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic since it is part of the requirement for a drug-free workplace as mandated by the city government and the Civil Service Commission through Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Macaraya added that it is important for employees to be drug-tested so the government would know their status since those into drugs could jeopardize their work outputs, relationship with co-employees and other work-related issues. She also said that the government wants to give the opportunity of work to those who are willing to work and not use their salary on illegal activities, especially on drugs.

Mayor Renato Gustilo, meanwhile, together with Barangay 6 captain Ronaldo Batusin visited the drug testing activity to check on the situation./WDJ