By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga 

Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is also eyeing conducting random drug testing for the more than 3,000 employees of the provincial government.

Lacson’s pronouncement came after Silay City Mayor Joedith Gallego sacked seven traffic enforcers of the city government after they tested positive for illegal drugs.

Lacson said the recent firings of city employees in Silay due to illegal drug use should serve as a lesson for all government workers.

“If you feel secure because of jobs in the government, you are expected to behave well,” Lacson said.

He added that there is really no positive gain when a government worker is using illegal drugs as discipline will always be given.

Meanwhile, in a follow-up interview yesterday morning, Gallego revealed that aside from the seven traffic enforcers, a city employee had also tested positive for drug use.

The said local government employee currently faces possible sanctions, based on the regulations set by the Civil Service Commission.

Earlier, Gallego said he would conduct a series of surprise drug tests again.

Gallego issued a warning to all city employees not to engage in any illegal activities, as he would not hesitate to remove them if they were caught.

The drug test was in response to two city government job order employees who were arrested in a drug buy-bust operation last week./DGB, WDJ