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.
Abalos claimed that the DILG has been working on reducing the supply of illegal drugs to combat the demand for illegal and dangerous drugs in the country. With Joel Zurbano