By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

An allegation has reached the Negros Occidental Office of the Provincial Administrator that there are employees of the provincial government who were allegedly involved in the sale of illegal drugs.

Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson announced that they will conduct random drug tests, in coordination with the Provincial Human Resource Management Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency, if there is strong information indicating drug use among employees, and to address the circulating allegations regarding drug use and trafficking within the provincial government.

Provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said the bid for the purchase of drug test kits did not proceed due to the absence of a compliant bidder.

However, the bidding process will be reopened to conduct drug tests.

Diaz said any contract of service, casual and job order employees who will test positive for illegal drug use will not have their contracts renewed.

He also reminded employees to abide by the law, as illegal drug use could have adverse effects on their health and work performance.

Earlier, local government units in Negros Occidental, including capital Bacolod City, conducted a series of surprise drug tests among its employees.

A total of 53 employees of the Bacolod City government tested positive for illegal drug use, of which 49 job order workers were terminated and four regular city government employees were suspended.

They will be subjected to further investigation under city police director, Colonel Noel Aliño, Mayor Alfredo Abelardo Benitez said.

The termination of four regular employees will depend on the investigation by the City Legal Office.

He added random drug tests will continue with other departments of the city government./DGB, WDJ