DILG chief insists on mandatory drug tests | Inquirer News
Expanded campaign

DILG chief insists on mandatory drug tests

By: - Reporter / @dexcabalzaINQ
/ 05:40 AM June 04, 2023
Benhur Abalos STORY: DILG chief insists on mandatory drug tests

Interior Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. (File photo by GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE / Philippine Daily Inquirer)

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Benhur Abalos has ordered more frequent random drug testing to be conducted in the offices of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG), as well as local governments, as the government expanded its antidrug campaign in agencies and workplaces.

He warned that those who tested positive for prohibited drugs may be dismissed from the service, after going through a “due process” of evaluation.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We already have policies in place for random drug testing in government offices, but it should be implemented more importantly in the DILG,” Abalos said on Friday in Camp Crame.

He noted that the move was in line with the thrust of the agency’s anti-illegal drugs advocacy Buhay Ingatan, Droga’y Ayawan program, which focuses more on drug demand reduction and rehabilitation.

FEATURED STORIES

The order of Abalos will cover workers assigned to local governments, including barangays, municipalities, cities, and provinces, as well as uniformed personnel of the Philippine National Police, Bureau of Fire Protection, and Bureau of Jail Management and Penology.

The DILG also has jurisdiction over the commissions on women, children and Muslim affairs, as well as the Local Government Academy, Public Safety College, and National Police Commission.

The Civil Service Commission, through its Memorandum Circular No. 13, series of 2017, outlined the guidelines for mandatory random drug tests for public officials and employees, although the legality of mandatory drug testing remained largely undefined in the Philippines.

RELATED STORIES

DILG tells Brgy, SK poll bets: Show willingness to serve country, undergo drug test

Tulfo: PNP drug busters must undergo drug test, reshuffling, neuropsychiatric test

467 BJMP officials, personnel get surprise drug tests; no positive drug results

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Subscribe to our daily newsletter

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.

Read Next
Don't miss out on the latest news and information.

Subscribe to INQUIRER PLUS to get access to The Philippine Daily Inquirer & other 70+ titles, share up to 5 gadgets, listen to the news, download as early as 4am & share articles on social media. Call 896 6000.

TAGS: Benhur Abalos, Department of the Interior and Local Government, mandatory drug tests
For feedback, complaints, or inquiries, contact us.
Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

News that matters

By providing an email address. I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy.



© Copyright 1997-2023 INQUIRER.net | All Rights Reserved

We use cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our website. By continuing, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. To find out more, please click this link.