Parañaque City Mayor Eric Olivarez on Wednesday announced that all 81 heads of departments and offices of the city government who underwent random drug testing late last month turned in negative results.
The drug tests, conducted by personnel of the City Health Office and coordinated by the Parañaque Anti-Drug Abuse Office, were in compliance with the local government unit’s Drug-Free Workplace Ordinance, the mayor said.
“We are happy to announce that all those who took the tests are negative for drug use,” he said. “This is a big boost to our efforts to ensure a drug-free workplace, and our department heads deserve credit for serving as good examples to our employees and constituents alike.”
Olivarez said random drug tests will be conducted regularly in the future and will cover both officers and rank-and-file employees.
“We want the random drug tests to continue not only to serve as deterrent against drug use, but also to show our constituents that government employees are not exempt from our Drug-Free Workplace Ordinance.
“We encourage our employers in the private sector to also conduct regular drug testing and help us achieve a safe, productive and drug-free workplace,” the mayor added.
Parañaque Anti-Drug Abuse Office executive director Andres Altarejos said the random tests conducted last month were also part of activities for the Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Week held every 3rd week of November.
