Leyte elected officials to undergo mandatory drug testing

TACLOBAN CITY, Sept. 7 (PNA) -- The Leyte provincial board has passed a resolution requiring all elected and appointed officials in the province of Leyte to undergo drug testing.

“The resolution covers the governor, vice governor, board members, mayors, vice mayors, councilors, provincial board members and if possible, even the village officials,” Vice Governor Carlo P. Loreto said.

The board came up with the plan after all employees of the Leyte provincial government underwent drug testing. Those who were found positive of illegal drugs use were terminated from government service.

The provincial legislators unanimously approved the resolution during its regular session on Tuesday.

“The move is to check if the officials are negative or positive of drugs use and if indeed positive of drug use, what will be the solution. The case will be brought to the blue ribbon committee,” Loreto added.

Initially, the resolution will cover 426 key officials in the province, cities and towns. The number will climb to thousands if the provincial government will require village officials to undergo drug test.

Those elected officials who are found to be using drugs will have to undergo the due process under Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002. (PNA)

LAP/SQM/LIZBETH ANN A. ABELLA/EGR