This developed after some members of the Civil Security Unit (CSU) and other job order workers have been tested positive for illegal drug use.
During the two-day training on life skills enhancement on drug abuse prevention education participated by student and youth leaders on Wednesday morning (June 5) at Ritz Hotel this city, Quitain said that respective offices can also require their employees to undergo a random drug test.
“No problem to us. We did it before some years ago. In fact we had voluntarily undergone also and HIV testing. We do it annually,” Quitain said.
“There’s nothing wrong with that and everybody can get drug test if they want. We can do it mandatory,” he said.
Quitain also said the matter will be tackled during the City Council regular session on Tuesday next week to decide if the drug test will be mandatory.
“Yes, we will talk about it this Tuesday now there’s a statement about that just to prove that we are not exempted,” Quitain further said.
Quitain emphasized that the city has always been in fight against criminalities especially drugs.
“ I am happy that Mayor Baste further intensify it now. Because of that we also support the plans and programs of the city. Tha is why we requested the Dangerous Drugs Board to have this seminar,” he said.
Mayor Sebastian Duterte said on Friday (May 31) that employees including CSU who tested positive for illegal drug use will be fired and an investigation will also be conducted against them.
Public Safety and Security Office (PSSO) head Angel Sumagaysay, on the other hand said that these personnel had been tested positive for using illegal drugs after a random drug tests conducted recently.
According to Sumagaysay the random drug test for PSSO workers is still ongoing, adding is a continuing cleansing effort of the city to ensure that no one from their ranks is involved in illegal drugs.
He said they keep on reminding their workers to avoid indulging in illegal activities such as illegal drugs.
Earlier, Surigao del Norte Repesentative Robert Ace Barbers, chair of the House Commitee on Dangerous Drugs urged the Philippine National Police and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) to investigate and eradicate the source of the illegal drugs here.
“Spare no one and leave no stone unturned in getting to the bottom of this mess,” he said in a statement.
Barbers also expressed support for Duterte’s war against illegal drugs, saying he knows the problem very well as he was once a governor of the province.
“I know where the local authorities are standing right now and the pressure they are in. I will gladly share to them any information that may come my way as chairman of the committee on dangerous drugs,” Barbers said.
Fighting this together in a united front is the only way to succeed, he said.
Davao City Vice Mayor Jay Melchor Quitain Jr.