(Eagle News) — Top officials of the Commission on Higher Education and its employees on Monday, June 18, underwent mandatory drug testing.
The move is in response to the call of President Rodrigo Duterte for a drug-free work environment.
“This initiative is being undertaken consistent with Civil Service Commission memorandum circular number 13 series of 2017, which provides the guidelines in the mandatory drug test for public officials and other purposes,” Officer-in-Charge Prospero de Vera III said in a press briefing.
De Vera said those who tested positive in the screening test will undergo further confirmatory test within the same day. And if the confirmatory testing will come out positive, then the “concerned employee will undergo Drug Dependency Examination to be conducted by the Department of Health.”
The mandatory drug testing will also identify drug dependents who should be given appropriate health and psychological assistance.
“This is not meant to penalize government workers. We want to make sure that all individuals in the commission are performing their functions well and that there are no obstacles in the delivery of efficient public service,” he said.