By Mae Singuay

At least 46 job order casual employees at the Bacolod City Government Center were terminated after they were found positive for illegal drugs.

Of the 46, 29 of them were from the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) and 17 were from the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO).

Around 370 POSO and 270 BTAO personnel underwent drug tests conducted by the local government unit.

Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said city government employees who yielded positive results in drug tests were immediately terminated and subject to rehabilitation.

“If they get better and recover from their condition, they may reconsider,” Benitez said.

Benitez, during a press conference yesterday, said he also took the initiative to undergo drug testing, and he tested negative.

He added the Bacolod City Police Office had also conducted drug tests on their personnel./MS, WDJ