PERDICES EYEING DRUG TEST FOR CITY HALL EMPLOYEES

About 15 to 20 city hall employees suspected to be drug users may lose
their jobs at the Dumaguete City Hall.

Mayor Agustin Perdices said persistent reports indicate that these
personnel assigned in the different departments of the city government
have been using drugs and have already been told to undergo
rehabilitation, or be laid off.

These employees are all casual but with plantilla, which means that
they are enjoying several benefits, such as 13th month pay, and
allowances, among others. A source who requested anonymity said some
of these personnel are close relatives of Perdices' political allies
and supporters.

The mayor said, these employees will be subjected to a drug test
anytime, and, if found positive, will be dismissed from the service.

Last year, three workers of the city, who were found positive of using
drugs were dismissed from the service. One of them is now back to
work, however, after undergoing rehabilitation as advised by the mayor.

"If they will heed our call for them to undergo rehabilitation without
waiting for the drug test, they can go back to work afterwards,"
Perdices assured.

"The city will help them in undergoing the rehabilitation," he added,
without specifying what kind of help it would extend.

He said that, during his talk with most of the suspected drug users,
he advised them to undergo rehabilitation, and assured them that they
can go back to work after undergoing the process.

Perdices said the city government will not tolerate employees hooked
on drugs because they are unproductive and the future of their
families is "destined to be ruined".*