DSWD6 employees recently held random drug testing for its employees.

The Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office VI released memorandum for conducting random drug testing on DSWD6 employees.

Pursuant to CSC Memorandum Circular No. 13 series of 2017 issued on April 19, 2017, said that government agencies are given six months from the effectivity of the said policy to conduct a “mandatory, random and suspicion less drug testing of their incumbent public officials and employees as a condition for retention in government service.

It is said that the agency should also ensure that the workers are fully aware of the drug testing procedures, the consequences of yielding a positive drug test result, as well as the instances that can lead to administrative liability.

“We are required to submit a regular report to the Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) on the conduct of drug tests and the number of confirmed positive drug cases,’ said Rebecca P. Geamala, DSWD6 Regional Director.

She said that this random drug testing will be conducted yearly and its results will be treated with utmost confidentiality.

The agency likewise aims to determine the prevalence of drug users among its employees, to deter the use of illegal drugs, and to strengthen the government’s efforts against dangerous drugs.

On Friday, around 70 DSWD6 employees were randomly drug tested.

“We want our work place to be 100% drug-free since we are the lead agency in giving social protection programs and services, we, of course do not want our workers to be involved in drugs while performing their duties, Geamala finally said. /DSWD6/MerryJezzelBrendia