The city mayor directed the Uswag Molecular Laboratory to undertake the random drug testing.
He wanted to keep the city government a drug-free workplace, citing Republic Act 9165 (Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002), angerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 2-2004, and the Civil Service Commission Memorandum Circular No. 13-2010.
“Iloilo City has various programs and activities designed to eliminate the illegal drugs problem…not only within the city hall premises but including its field departments and officers, and its 180 barangays,” read part of Treñas’ EO.
Results of the drug tests shall remain strictly confidential and shall abide with the Data Privacy Act of 201, the EO stressed.
Job hires and contractual employees positive for dangerous drugs shall be subjected to disciplinary/ administrative proceedings, including but not limited to, termination of contract, and those provided for by law.
Those who will not submit themselves to drug testing may be dealt with administratively; the refusal may also be deemed as workplace misconduct, or a violation of the terms and conditions for the continuity of service, whichever is applicable.
Likewise, failure to do so shall be a ground for termination or administrative sanctions.
Late last year, Treñas required all job hires and contractual employees to submit to quarterly drug tests to ensure that there are no drug users in the employ of the city government.
The drug test requirement was ordered following the arrest of a former job hire in a drug buy-bust operation on Aug. 24, 2022./PN
