PPA conducts surprise drug test for 1,000 employees
The Philippine Ports Authority (PPA) has conducted a two-day mandatory drug test for nearly 1,000 regular and contractual employees as part of the measures to ensure the safety and security of the ports.
PPA General Manager Jay Daniel Santiago said the surprise drug tests were conducted starting on Monday at the agency’s head office in coordination with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA).
Santiago said all Port Management Offices (PMO) nationwide already conducted their surprise drug testing in their corresponding port areas in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao.
“This initiative is part of PPA's ongoing efforts to maintain a drug-free workplace and enhance the safety of port operations during this critical time of year,” said Santiago.
"The safety of our ports and the welfare of the public are always our top priorities. Our personnel must be fit for duty at all times, especially during the peak season when the demand for security and vigilance is at its highest," he added.
Santiago earlier announced that all the leaves of absence of PPA frontliners will be cancelled starting Dec. 22 as the agency is expecting around four million passengers in all PPA-supervised ports across the country.
Before the urine drug testing, a symposium was held for all participants to raise awareness about the detrimental effects of illegal drugs, their impact on job performance, and the overall security of port operations.
According to the agency’s records from the previous years, no regular PPA employee had tested positive for illegal drug use.
"We will take immediate action against personnel who test positive, as we have a zero-tolerance policy for drug use within our workforce," said Santiago.
In case of testing positive, the PPA follows a structured legal process wherein the individual(s) will be given due process, counseling, and even immediate termination depending on the case.
"In this holiday season, we remain vigilant and thorough in our efforts to secure our ports. "The heightened security also ensures that no illegal substances can infiltrate our facilities. This surprise drug testing is just one of many steps we are taking to uphold the integrity of our operations and guarantee public safety,” said Santiago.