HERRERA BUCKS P300 FEE FOR DRUG TESTING OF TEACHERS

THE Department of Education, Culture and Sports (DECS) has started
requiring public teachers to undergo drug-testing during their annual
medical checkups.

However, former Senator and now Rep. Ernesto Herrera (Lakas, Bohol)
denounced the department's decision requiring teachers to shoulder the P300
fee per drug test, which he described as "burdensome."

"It is unconscionable for the department to require our teachers, many of
whom are getting paid only P8000 per month, to cough up P300 for each
test." Herrera, former chairman of the Senate special committee on illegal
drugs, said.

"We support the conduct of the drug tests. But the department should pay
for tests out of its own funds, not our teachers," Herrera, chairman of the
Citizens' DrugWatch Foundation, said.

He added: " It is bad enough that our teachers are getting measly salaries,
and that payment of their cost-of-living allowances and other benefits are
getting delayed. Must the department now also pass on to them the cost of
the drug tests?'

"Surely, if the department can afford to splurge for the luxury vehicles
for its top officials, it can afford to pay for the drug testing of
teachers," Herrera pointed out.

Herrera said he has been receiving numerous complaints from teachers about
the department's "pay-out-of your-own pocket" policy on the drug tests.

He also cited allegations that some officials have been requiring teachers
to report for drug testing to diagnostic centers that supposedly enjoy
preferential treatment