The Caloocan city government conducted random drug testing on all employees in both North and South Caloocan City Halls on Monday and Tuesday, Nov. 20 and 21.
According to the City Public Information Office (CPIO), the local government has collaborated with the Caloocan City Anti-Drug Abuse Office (CADAO) and the Human Resource Management and Development Office (HRDMO) to ensure the success of the initiative.
The program is in line with the directive of Caloocan City Mayor Dale Gonzalo "Along" Malapitan to establish a "drug-free" city, which also covers city government employees.
Mayor Malapitan said that implementing random drug testing will enhance the confidence of his constituents in the city government.
“Isa po ang random drug testing sa mga paraan upang tiyaking malinis ang ating hanay at na lahat ng mga empleyado ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ay mapagkakatiwalaan ng mga Batang Kankaloo (Random drug testing is one of the ways to ensure the integrity of our ranks and that all employees of the City Government are trustworthy in the eyes of the Batang Kankaloo),” he said.
The city mayor also committed to strengthening the comprehensive anti-drug initiatives within the urban area.
“Lagi ko pong sinasabi, ang paraan natin ng pagsugpo sa droga ay makatao at hindi lamang nakatuon sa panghuhuli ng mga lulong o nagtutulak ng droga. Palalakasin pa natin ang mga rehabilitation program kasama pa ang mga proyektong pangkabuhayan para sa mga dating gumagamit ng bawal na gamot upang tuloy-tuloy ang kanilang pagbabagong-buhay (I always emphasize that our approach to address drugs is humane and not solely focused on apprehending drug addicts or those involved in drug trafficking. We will strengthen rehabilitation programs along with livelihood projects for former drug users to support their rehabilitation),” Malapitan said.