DILG set to roll out drug testing among workers

By Charles Dantes

DEPARTMENT of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary

Benjamin Abalos Jr. has said random drug testing will be implemented among DILG-attached agencies.

“This could be random drug testing, unannounced drug testing, all over, hindi lamang sa atin, kundi ito ay maski sa local government units,” Abalos said during the opening of the sports and cultural competitions organized under the anti-illegal drugs program at Camp Crame in Quezon City.

Abalos disclosed that he will issue a circular regarding the drug testing operations.

“Ici-circularized natin ito para ang mga tao kinakabahan at umiiwas sa droga,” the DILG chief said.

In an ambush interview, Abalos listed all the DILG attached agencies including the Bureau of Fire Protection, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, Local Government Academy, National Commission on Muslim Filipinos, National Police Commission, National Youth Commission, Philippine Commission on Women, Philippine National Police, and Philippine Public Safety College.

He said those who will test positive for illegal drug may be dismissed from the service after careful evaluation.

He also warned those who will test negative for illegal drug use to avoid being complacent as the random drug testing will be a continuing process.

Abalos challenged private companies to conduct random drug testing among their employees to ensure a drug-free workplace. With Joel Zurbano last May 4 during an operation conducted by a composite team of law enforcement agencies, including the Philippine National Police.

The DOJ also said the operation at the Clark Sun Valley Hub Corp. located at the Clark Freeport and Special Economic Zone in Mabalacat, Pampanga, resulted in the rescue of more than 1.000 employees, both foreigners and Filipinos, illegally recruited by the crime ring.

The DOJ said the Bureau of Immigration processed the foreign nationals for verification, identification, and biometrics and, so far, 936 of them have been given permissions to leave the Philippines with waiver of all the penalties and fees for alleged violation of immigration laws.

The agency also said 291 of the foreigners have been repatriated as of May 31.

It was noted that the verification, identification, and repatriation processes were done through the collaborative efforts of the DOJ-led InterAgency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) member agencies, pertinent embassies and non-government or- ganizations (NGOs).

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla directed that the aliens rescued last May 4 would be placed under the custody of the Philippine National Police (PNP) pending completion of their repatriation papers.

The PNP Anti-Cybercrime Group was also instructed to secure the compound at the Sun Valley subdivision where the mass rescue occurred. “This legal custody by the IACAT of the victims is pursuant to Section 17 and 17(A) of 9208, as amended by RA 10364,” it added. Rey E. Requejo

CHRISTMAS IN JUNE. The yuletide spirit fills the air in Porac, Pampanga as Senator Imee Marcos does like Santa Claus, escorted by Mayor Jing Capil and local social welfare officials, gives away cash, Nutribun bread, and toys under the government’s Assistance to Individuals in Crisis Situations. Similar scenarios unfolded in Mabalacat City, Pampanga, and in Bamban, Tarlac during the senator’s visit.