Atin Ito First Filipino Community Newspaper in Ontario
Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Jr. Abalos Jr. issued a stern warning on Friday, June 2, that random drug testing will be enforced in the attached offices of the department as well as the local government units (LGUs) which are under its supervision.
Abalos noted that those who test positive for prohibited drugs may be booted out from the service although he asserted that due process will be observed.
“There are really random drug tests in the government. There should be really random drug testing and we, at the DILG, we are going to implement it because this is very important,’’ Abalos said at the sidelines of the “DILG BIDA Sports and Cultural Fest Grand Opening Ceremony’’ in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
He noted that the DILG has focused its illegal drug campaign in the “supply reduction” aspect, stressing that the strategy is very valuable in the “demand reduction” for illegal and dangerous drugs.
Further, Abalos mentioned that the DILG took it upon itself to seek the assistance of the private sector in supporting the government’s whole-nation approach in pursuing the anti-illegal drug campaign through the respective random drug testing of their employees.
He said it’s up to the private sector to impose the necessary punishments for its personnel who would be found positive for drug use.
“It could be reprimand, it could be suspension, it could be dismissal from service pero one thing is important, may drug policy sila (they have a drug policy) like a random drug testing,’’ he added.
The DILG chief stressed that random drug testing in both the private and government sectors will net positive results as people will now stay away from illegal drug use or deals, knowing fully well that random drug testing may lead them to unfavorable circumstances.
Abalos also warned that DILG personnel who were initially tested negative for illegal drugs should not be complacent, saying that random drug testing in the department will be a continuing process.
— Chito Chavez
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Credit belongs to: www.mb.com.ph
