At least 19 employees of the Negros Occidental Provincial Government tested positive of the use of illegal drugs.

A surprise drug test was conducted in December 2024 to 1,800 employees of the Provincial Capitol. At least 1,100 employees are from Capitol, 700 are from government hospitals in the province.

Three of the 19 who tested positive were confirmed to be regular employees, seven are job-order employees, while three are Contract of Service (COS) employees.

Six security guards of a private manpower agency in contract with Capitol have also tested positive.

“Marami naman ang nagpositive and then hindi na ni-renew ang mga job order, casual, and COS na nagpositive,” Negros Occidental Provincial Administrator, Atty. Rayfrando Diaz II, said.

The three regular employees that tested positive are set to undergo a confirmatory test.

“Then they can opt to undergo rehabilitation if they want to be reinstated. Otherwise, hindi na sila namin i-reinstate and we will file case for grave misconduct,” Atty. Diaz said.

As for two workers who are among those who tested negative, they said they welcome random or surprise drug tests because they have nothing to be afraid of.

“Importante, hindi ka gumagamit. Kahit saan, pwede kang mag-apply, wala kang kaba,” Jose Magallon, an employee said.

“Kung Capitol employee ka, iwasan mong gumamit ng drugs kasi nagtatrabaho ka sa gobyerno,” Smiley Olbido, another employee who tested negative, said.