DILG to implement random drug tests in attached agencies

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to conduct  “random” and “unannounced” random drug tests in its attached agencies, DILG Secretary Benhur Abalos said Friday.

In his speech during the launch of the sports and cultural fest for DILG’s anti-illegal drugs campaign at Camp Crame, Abalos said he will issue a circular for this measure.

“This could be random drug testings, unannounced drug testings, all over, hindi lamang sa atin, kundi ito ay maski sa local government units,” he said.

(This could be random  and unannounced, covering not only the DILG but also local government units.)

“Ici-circularized natin ito para ang mga tao kinakabahan at umiiwas sa droga (We will issue a circular for this so the personnel will be nervous and avoid using illegal drugs),” he added.

In an ambush interview, Abalos said that all attached agencies of the DILG will be covered by the random drug testing. The agencies under the DILG are the following:

• Bureau of Fire Protection
• Bureau of Jail Management and Penology
• Local Government Academy
• National Commission on Muslim Filipinos
• National Police Commission
• National Youth Commission
• Philippine Commission on Women
• Philippine National Police
• Philippine Public Safety College

The sanctions for those who will test positive for illegal drugs may include termination from work, according to Abalos.

Earlier, Abalos challenged the candidates in the 2023 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) to undergo drug test.

Abalos said the candidates should undergo drug tests to show that they are ready to serve the country considering that illegal drugs is “one of the biggest problems.”

He also asked private companies to conduct random drug testing of their employees to ensure a drug-free workplace.

Drug Policy Reform Initiative lead convener Atty. Kristine Mendoza, however, opposed the move, saying drug test cannot determine if the person is problematic due to drug use.

“Hindi naman masasabi ng drug testing kung drug dependent ang isang tao. O kung problematic na ang paggamit niya o kung kailangan niya ba ng intervention,” she said.

(The drug test cannot determine if the person is drug dependent or his usage is already problematic or he already needs intervention.)

“Hindi rin ito minsan accurate. Hindi rin nito masusukat ng drug testing kung mahusay ba ang mga manggagawa sa trabaho,” she added.

(Sometimes it is not accurate. It also cannot measure if the workers are excellent at their jobs.)  —VAL, GMA Integrated News