Seven employees of the municipal government of Malapatan in Sarangani province have been temporarily relieved from their posts after testing positive for illegal drug use in a surprise mass drug test conducted last week. Malapatan Mayor Salway Sumbo Jr. stated they are awaiting confirmatory test results for the employees, five of whom are under job order contracts and two with permanent positions. The testing was ordered by the mayor during the regular flag-raising ceremony on March 10 and involved all municipal officials, employees, and workers from national government agencies. Urine samples were facilitated by local government personnel and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Region 12, with confirmatory tests conducted by a Davao City-based facility. Sumbo emphasized that those who remain positive in confirmatory tests will face consequences: job order contracts will not be renewed, and permanent employees will undergo Civil Service Commission processes. The annual surprise drug testing aims to maintain a drug-free workplace and was conducted earlier this year due to the alarming illegal drug situation. Sumbo cited PDEA and Philippine National Police reports of operations and arrests in the municipality, adding that the local government is collaborating with these agencies to monitor and enforce anti-drug activities. The mayor also plans to extend surprise drug tests to officials and employees of the town’s 12 barangays. (Allen V. Estabillo / MindaNews)
