SEVENTEEN City Hall employees who tested positive in a random drug test conducted by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA-10) will be given a chance to undergo rehabilitation instead of immediate dismissal, officials said.

Majority Floor Leader and City Councilor Edgar Cabanlas said on Monday, February 24 that due to the large number of employees, some individuals manage to slip through the system and engage in illegal drug use.

He clarified that the names of the employees who tested positive could not be disclosed due to a directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

“Pwede i-rehabilitate. It’s not an immediate ground for dismissal pero kung dili gyud sila madala sa tambag, it’s sufficient time to undergo rehab,” said Canbanlas.

He emphasized that employees who continue to test positive even after rehabilitation will be dismissed from service.

REHAB OPTION. Majority Floor Leader Councilor Edgar Cabanlas on Feb. 24 announced that 17 City Hall employees who tested positive for drugs will be given a chance to undergo rehabilitation. However, he emphasized that those who continue using illegal drugs after rehab will face dismissal. Photo by Shiela Mae Butlig

“Kung dili gihapon sila motuman, magpabilin gihapon sila sa bisyo, mao ning time nga ato silang i-dismiss or atong ipapahawa sa trabaho,” Cabanlas said.

PDEA-10 Director Atty. Benjamin Gaspi, in a statement, said the course of action depends on the local government unit’s drug workplace policy.

“If the policy provides for rehabilitation, all employees who tested positive must undergo rehabilitation in a Department of Health-accredited facility,” Gaspi stated.

He added that the local government must also conduct an administrative investigation and impose appropriate sanctions if necessary.

Cabanlas acknowledged that drug use among City Hall employees has been a recurring issue, which remains difficult to control due to the large workforce.

“Maghangyo lang sa ‘ta sa mga empleyado nga walaon gyud kana nga bisyo. We continue with our program, kana atong regular drug testing sa mga empleyado,” Cabanlas said.

He also assured that the City’s Anti-Drug Abuse Council will intensify education campaigns to prevent drug use.

“Our workplace should be drug-free and we should be models,” Cabanlas said, reaffirming the city's commitment to maintaining a drug-free government office.