Civil Service Commission eyes drug-free bureaucracy

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines  – The Civil Service Commission (CSC) is embarking on a campaign for a drug-free bureaucracy.

The CSC has issued an order mandating all government officials and civil servants to undergo mandatory drug testing under the National Drug-free Workplace Program.

Under the program, all officials and employees of the government, including state-run schools and universities, are required to undergo drug testing and seminars of advocacy, education and training.

To realize a drug-free workplace in government, agencies are ordered to organize orientation and education programs for all their officials and employees to increase awareness on the harmful effects and dangers of drug use and drug abuse in the workplace.

They are required to display messages at their work premises about the importance of being drug-free.

The program also requires all government agencies to initiate activities to encourage healthy lifestyle of employees.

The Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) led the anti-drug seminar here as part of the National Drug-free Program of the CSC.

PDEA regional director Chief Inspector Edgar Apalla said the program also warns that any official or employee found positive for use of drugs would be subjected to disciplinary or administrative proceedings with the possibility of dismissal from the service.

Apalla said they would apply the drug testing procedure of the PDEA where it is a mandatory requirement for pre-appointment and pre-promotion.

PDEA Cordillera spokesperson Emily Fama said they would conduct the mandatory drug test unannounced, or at least every six months.

Meanwhile, the CSC reiterated its authority to attest appointments in the civil service including some managerial and executive positions, except those covered by the appointing power of the president. –-Artemio Dumlao (The Philippine Star) with Michael Punongbayan