CAPITOL RUNS DRUG TEST ON EMPLOYEES

A TWO-day random drug test for about 2,500 Negros Occidental employees
was conducted starting Thursday.

Governor Joseph Marañon advised the employees to undergo the
random drug testing to determine who among the Provincial Government
workers are into illegal drug use or are already dependents.

The tests were conducted at the Governor's Hall of the Old Capitol
Building

However, only 20 percent of the total employees will be subjected to
the test during the two-day period, said Provincial Legal Officer Mary
Ann Manayon-Lamis.

The remaining personnel will be subjected to another drug testing
activity although the schedule will not be disclosed, added Lamis. "It
will just be a surprise."

The province, said Jose Maria Valencia, the Capitol's chief of staff,
will pay the drug-testing unit at P180 per person.

Members of the Negros Occidental Drug Rehabilitation Center (NODRC) in
Victorias City are conducting the test.

"Our payment will serve as the province's donation to NODRC," added
Valencia.

The drug test was ordered by the governor following the arrest of
former government employees Barry Guaderrama and Levy Doronila for
possession of illegal drugs.

Guaderrama, an employee at the Provincial Assessor's Office, was
nabbed and jailed for allegedly selling and using methamphetamine
hydrochloride, popularly known as shabu, three months ago.

Doronila, on the other hand, was the acting treasurer of Talisay City,
when arrested by operatives of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency
(PDEA) Region 6. Shabu was allegedly found in his possession after a
raid was conducted inside his office at the Talisay City Hall on the
midnight of November 15.

Beethoven Tiano, Personnel Specialist I of the Civil Service
Commission (CSC)-Negros Occidental Field Office, said the drug testing
for Capitol employees falls under the prerogative of the governor.

But as far as the CSC is concerned, Tiano said, there is an existing
memorandum circular (MC) that requires government employees to undergo
drug testing as part of their medical requirement prior to his or her
employment whether they maybe permanent, casual or co-terminus in status.