Apayao town sets regular drug tests for execs, workers

LUNA, Apayao -- The Luna municipal government has committed to maintaining its drug-free workplace status by regularly doing a mandatory drug test on its officials and employees.

“There will be a mandatory and random drug testing among the officials, personnel and employees of Luna,” said Rosel Sarmiento, information officer of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR).

Substance abuse awareness and prevention programs or seminars will also be held as a reminder to the workers of the local government unit.

The commitment is contained in a memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Luna Mayor Josephine Bangsil and PDEA-CAR director Edgar Apalla. The signing was held on Nov. 27 at the PDEA-CAR regional office in Camp Dangwa.

The agreement will lead to a closer collaboration between both agencies to maintain a drug-free workplace in Luna.

Earlier this year, the municipal government of Luna passed an ordinance providing for the adoption and implementation of a continuing and sustainable substance abuse awareness and prevention program as well as allotting funds for the purpose.

 The PDEA-CAR has been entering into several MOAs with other government offices and companies for the “drug-free workplace" policy.

In October, it signed an agreement with the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), which aims to promote the policy in private workplaces under CAR. (PNA)