BACOLOD CITY – Mayor Alfredo Abelardo “Albee” Benitez revealed on Tuesday, August 1, that 46 city government personnel tested positive for illegal drug use.
BENITEZ
Benitez said they comprise eight to 10 percent of job order city government employees.
Twenty-nine were from the Bacolod Traffic Authority Office (BTAO) and 17 from the Public Order and Safety Office (POSO).
A total of 370 POSO personnel and 270 BTAO personnel underwent drug testing from July 28 to August 1.
In a press conference, Benitez said that those who tested positive for illegal substance will be terminated and undergo rehabilitation.
“If they turned out to be better and can recover, then they may be reconsidered,” he added.
Benitez said they will check what kind of assistance the city can extend to them.
He said all city government employees will undergo public testing. “Maybe this will be a call for all public officials to do the same,” he added.
Benitez said they will come up with a system to identify employees using or engaging in illegal substance.
He, however, is unsure if it is allowed or illegal to make this mandatory. “But, ideally, everybody should undergo that cause,” he said.
Benitez noted that the drug testing is proper to enable the public to have confidence that government servants are not involved in illegal substance.
He underwent a drug test and tested negative.