24 Binalbagan gov’t workers test positive for illegal drugs

By Glazyl M. Jopson

BACOLOD CITY — Twenty-four contractual and job order casual employees of the Binalbagan municipal government in Negros Occidental tested positive for illegal drug use, Mayor Emmanuel Aranda revealed Wednesday.

Aranda said the local government conducted random drug testing on 400 government workers from various departments and offices on Feb. 11, excluding regular employees.

He said the contracts of those who tested positive will be immediately terminated.

“We will no longer accept them, and renew their contracts,” Aranda said.

He added that the employees had already been informed of the consequences of their actions.

Aranda stressed that the municipal government is serious about ensuring a drug-free workplace.

“They are being paid by the government, thus they should set an example,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (MDRRMO) moved to correct reports circulating on social media claiming that 11 of the 24 positive results came from their department.

“It is fake news,” the MDRRMO said in a Facebook post, urging the public to avoid spreading false information and to rely only on legitimate sources.

“We assure that the local DRRMO remains steadfast in its duty of giving public service and supports the anti-drug campaign under the current administration,” it added.

The local government also reminded the public not to spread unverified information. “Let’s be responsible in sharing so that confusion and misinformation will be avoided in our community,” it said.