Illegal drug use, peddling probe at Negros Occ. capitol underway

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Negros Occidental provincial administrator Atty. Rayfrando Diaz said that the provincial government is investigating reports of alleged use and peddling of illegal drugs by some employees at the provincial capitol.

“We are validating reports on the use of illegal drugs, and even alleged drug peddling activities inside the capitol establishments,” Diaz told reporters here.

Diaz said he has been receiving consistent reports of drug problems at the capitol premises.

He further said that the provincial government is set to conduct another bidding for the purchase of drug testing kits to be used in the random drug testing of its employees after the first bidding failed.

He added that they are hastening the bidding of drug test kits “to really identify who they are.”

But Diaz noted that “the rumors remain unsubstantiated, as of this time.”

“It’s not that alarming,” Diaz added.

He further said that in a way, they initially imposed discipline by transferring “suspected employees” to other assignments to limit their movements.

“But we cannot really conclusively say that he is a suspect, as there is no drug testing yet,” Diaz pointed out.

The Human Resource office has already been instructed to coordinate with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency in identifying possible targets for drug testing.

“The governance of Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson is abiding with the law and responsible government, which involves being fit for work. Indulging in substance abuse, renders us not in a good condition to render public service mentally, emotionally, and physically,” Diaz said.

Meanwhile, Diaz explained that the recall of 39 capitol-hired watchmen from their respective assignments and for them to report to the Security Safety Division office is part of the cleansing process, adding that there is a manifestation indicating that some of them cannot be trusted.

Earlier, Security Safety Division chief, Renel Lastierre lamented that the majority of the watchmen under SSD have been pulled out from their respective assignments, based on the memorandum issued by Diaz.

Lastierre claimed that the order did not give specific instructions to the affected personnel, except to report back to the SSD office for possible reassignment.

The job contract of 39 watchmen ends in December 2023.

Diaz said that they are now assigned to secure Capitol workplaces and its employees, while the “blue guards” were tasked to secure external perimeters of the provincial government facilities.

Prior to their recall, the capitol watchmen, who are Contract of Service and Job Order employees, had been assigned to different hospitals, among other capitol facilities in different towns and cities of Negros Occidental.

“We will take all the time, to verify and validate their worthiness, in order to be trusted, and to become watchmen again,” Diaz stressed.