City administrator Mario Yanga, together with his assistants Cesar Raz and Christian Olasiman, supervised the surprise drug test as part of an overall effort to cleanse the ranks.
Yanga said those found positive during the initial round of drug tests will be subjected to confirmatory testing. Administrative sanctions await those found positive for drugs after the second test.
Another round of surprise random drug tests awaits city government employees, Yanga added.
Yanga said the surprise random drug test was conducted based on the instruction of Mayor John Dalipe here after receiving complaints on alleged irregularities such as extortion and other misdemeanors committed by some traffic aides while performing their duties.
The drug test conducted by the Zamboanga Anti-Drug Abuse Council through the City Health Office was also in compliance with Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 5, Series of 2019, on mandatory random drug test for public officials and employees and in line with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency's drug-free workplace program.