MAASIN CITY, Southern Leyte, Oct. 14 (PNA) -- The
15 employees of the Department of Public Works and Highways-Southern Leyte
District Engineering Office (DPWH-SLDEO) who were found positive of illegal
drugs use last year will complete the 11-month rigid recovery program on Oct.
21.
District Engineer Ma. Margarita Junia is pleased
with the progress of these workers. At least 14 of them received the "fit
to work" certificate from the Department of Health Treatment and
Rehabilitation Center (DOH-TRC).
"I’ve seen how their performance has improved
during the rehabilitation process. After their graduation, they will be
monitored regularly by the DOH-TRC to ensure that they will completely abandon
illegal drugs," Junia said.
Key officials of the DPWH-SLDEO and health
department will witness the graduation rites.
To recall, 23 employees were found positive of
illegal drugs use – 17 are job order workers and six permanent personnel -
during the Aug. 17, 2015 drug test.
Junia initiated the rehabilitation program of 23
workers giving them "chances to change", but only 16 of them opted to
join the weekly outpatient service program sessions being done by DOH-TRC.
The district office required permanent employees to
undergo a mandatory rehabilitation program. Dismissed job order workers were
given the option to go through the recovery process.
The SLDEO provided a space at its compound for the
conduct of weekly session for drug users. The weekly sessions started on Oct.
2015.
The battle is not yet over for six regular
employees who are facing administrative cases at the DPWH central office for
drugs use.
Recently, lawyers from the DPWH main office legal
division came to southern Leyte to conduct hearing of their administrative case
as a means to mitigate possible consequences.
JMC/SQM/DPWH-PR/EGR
No comments:
Post a Comment