CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – In a bid to clear the provincial government from the menace of illegal drugs and declare it a drug free work place, Vice Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda led some 300 Capitol employees including elected officials in the random drug testing activity supervised by the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) Central Luzon yesterday.
Acting Governor Dennis “Delta” Pineda said there is a compelling need for them to ‘walk the talk’ as they intensively campaigned for the elimination of illegal drugs and totally stop all illegal transactions related to illegal drug trade in the entire province.
The acting governor said the drug testing activity is also in compliance with President Rodrigo R. Duterte’s call of a drug-free workplace in all provincial, local and departmental government units.
“This is also in line with the celebration of Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Month this November. That’s why we conducted the surprised drug testing activity,” the acting governor added.
PDEA-3 Director Emerson Margate commended the provincial government led by the acting governor for initiating the drug test among Capitol elected officials and employees.
“This drug test is a very positive activity as this would give a ‘go signal’ for other local government units in Pampanga to emulate the initiative of the Capitol,” Margate said.
According to Margate, the provincial government is leading the way in the collective campaign against illegal drugs and this would show that the seat of government in Pampanga is indeed drug-free.
Margate added that the PDEA is honored that the provincial government tapped them to conduct and facilitate the noble activity and also surprised that the Capitol employees are very responsive in the said drug testing.
He also confessed that he is expecting a 100% drug-free result from the provincial government.
“Of course, it is expected from government officials and employees to be cleared of drugs as we are seen as examples to others,” he said.
Vice Governor Delta also requested PDEA-3 to immediately release first the drug test results of the elected officials.
PHILIP OCAMPO
