BAGUIO CITY – The Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) in coordination with the city government here recently conducted an orientation seminar on the promotion of a drug-free workplace program at the Baguio City multi-purpose hall.
Said seminar was designed as an information program to enhance the level of awareness of the employees on drug abuse prevention and control as a means of protecting them against the evils of drugs and which would subsequently contribute to the creation of a drug-free Baguio.
About 300 city hall employees realized the harmful effects of drug abuse, treatment and rehabilitation, HIV and drug testing procedures; drug prevention and health promotion approaches in a workplace; and the national anti-drug strategies.
For better discernment on the promotion of drug-free workplace, the salient provisions and penalties of Republic Act 9165 and the Civil Service Rules and Regulations pursuant to Article V, sec. 47 of RA 9165 was given emphasis during the orientation.
Highlighting the seminar were talks on the costs of drug abuse such as absenteeism, tardiness and injuries to self and others, friction among workers, poor quality of work produces, disinterested in the job and not motivated to improve himself through trainings, and damage to the company’s reputation, among others.
Mayor Mauricio Domogan stressed in his inspirational message the destructive and damaging effects of using illegal drugs in one’s lives.
“We all know the drug related laws as well as negative effects of using illegal drugs, however, there are still willful individuals who ignore and still choose to violate the laws as well as continue to use illegal drugs not realizing its consequences to one’s lives including their families,” said Domogan.
“With the seminar, I am hopeful that you (employees) will be a soldier to fight against illegal drugs in your (employees) capacity and your own simple way. Also, as parents, it is our responsibility to monitor and guide them in the right path,” he added.
Domogan also gave emphasis on the possible administrative charges imposed to a government employee if found and proven using illegal drugs and/or engaging to drug trafficking.
Moreover, the DDB has published the National Anti-Drug Plan Action ((NADPA) and was supported by the Office of the President through the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 89 dated December 17, 2015 entitled “Implementation and Institutionalization of the National Anti-Drug Plan of Action” wherein all agencies are directed to implement the NADPA.
With this, Domogan said that the city is contemplating on letting every employee at city hall to undergo random drug test to ensure drug-free work place as well as safety of every employee in the delivery of basic services to the people of Baguio.
By Jho Arranz
