Three Panay workers fail initial drug tests

By Felipe V. Celino

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — Three workers of the Panay municipal government returned presumptive positive results for illegal drug use during surprise screening tests, according to initial information.

Mayor Jonathan “Sonny” Besa said he would wait for the official results before issuing a statement.

Nearly 300 municipal officials and workers underwent drug testing.

Besa clarified that the three workers who returned presumptive positive results were neither elected officials nor regular local government employees.

He said the samples would undergo confirmatory testing once the municipality receives the official screening results.

The local government will also provide appropriate intervention for any worker whose result is confirmed, Besa said.

Besa led the surprise random drug testing of municipal officials and workers at the Panay Civic Center on Monday and Tuesday, July 13–14.

The testing was conducted under Municipal Ordinance No. 8, which institutionalized Panay’s drug-free workplace policy.

The ordinance provides for mandatory drug testing, rehabilitation mechanisms, and penalties for violations in relation to Republic Act No. 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002.

Under the law, a positive screening result must undergo a confirmatory test before it is considered confirmed.

The testing was part of the municipal government’s campaign against illegal drugs and its efforts to maintain a drug-free workplace.