The Muntinlupa City government achieved another feat when it was declared a drug-free workplace.
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Catalino Cuy and Mayor Ruffy Biazon unveiled the marker for the drug-free workplace during the weekly flag-raising ceremony at the Muntinlupa City hall quadrangle on Monday, Sept. 25.
Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) Chairman Catalino Cuy and Mayor Ruffy Biazon unveiling the drug-free workplace marker at the Muntinlupa City hall on Sept. 25 (Photo from Muntinlupa PIO)
The drug-free workplace marker at the Muntinlupa City hall on Sept. 25 (Photo from Muntinlupa PIO)
According to Florocito Ragudo, chief of the Muntinlupa Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Office (DAPCO, the Muntinlupa City government became a drug-free workplace after successfully following the parameters set by the DDB.
He said the drug-free workplace policy was finally initiated under the administration of Biazon after years of deferment due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Overall, what our mayor wanted was that all employees are not using illegal drugs so we can deliver effective services to our citizens,” said Ragudo.
Biazon signed an executive order establishing a workplace anti-drug abuse assessment team to implement the policy.
Under DDB Regulation No. 13 issued in 2018, the drug-free workplace policy covers “all appointive public officers in all offices, including all constitutional bodies, departments, bureaus, and agencies of the national government, government–owned and controlled corporations, state and local universities and colleges, and elective local officials of local government units.”
“Mandatory drug testing shall remain a requirement for initial entry to government service. Any applicant found positive for drug use shall be denied entry to government service,” it added.
Cuy congratulated the Muntinlupa City government for achieving the milestone.
“On behalf of the Dangerous Drugs Board, I would like to commend and congratulate [you]. We are with you in the success in having and launching of drug-free workplace policy here in Muntinlupa. Congratulations,” said Cuy.
Biazon congratulated city government employees for their cooperation in having a drug-free workplace.
“We will lose moral authority if we cannot clean up our own line when it comes to this scourge of society. Let’s congratulate ourselves again,” said Biazon.