By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Eight officers of the Progressive Alliance of Capitol Employees (PACE), a union group of the Negros Occidental provincial government employees, underwent drug tests yesterday morning, to affirm their support for a “drug-free workplace.” 

PACE president, Engineer Ruben Diamante, said three officers were unable to undergo drug tests as they were on leave.

They are board of directors Alejandro Decena III, Renelo Lastierre and Nimrod Sarmoy.

“We hope that this will serve as an example to other employees of the provincial government, to also submit themselves for drug testing,” Diamante said.

If one of them tests positive for illegal drug use, they will validate it immediately as part of protocol for regular government employees.

Diamante added that the drug test was paid at P200 per person.

Earlier, Provincial Administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said they had received information that several employees of the provincial government were allegedly engaged in the use and sale of illegal drugs.

He said they are currently coordinating with the capitol’s Human Resource Management Office and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency to conduct random drug tests on employees.

The allegations also surfaced at the time when several local government units in the province, including capital Bacolod City, conducted a series of surprise drug tests among its employees.

In Bacolod, a total of 53 employees of the city government tested positive for illegal drugs./DGB, WDJ