Valenzuela City Mayor REX Gatchalian voluntarily submits himself for drug test today, likewise, requiring and surprising all city hall employees to do the same.

The local chief executive has ordered the City Health Department (CHD) and the Human Resource and Management Office (HRMO) to conduct a five-day mandatory drug test for all the 5,000 city hall employees, from July 25 to July 29 at the temporary testing center set up at the Social Hall Building, Valenzuela City Government Complex.

City-elected officials and all department heads of the city government are also enjoined to partake in this important measure, to show full support to Pres. Rodrigo Duterte’s serious battle against illegal drugs.

Priority units to be tested are those that belong in the rescue and peace and order sections, such as the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), and the Philippine National Police (PNP).

HRMO OIC, Ms. Florcefida Villamar mentioned in a dialogue that this move is in no way part of joining the bandwagon to superficially fight drug abuse in the workplace. She remarked, “A couple of months before the May elections, the city government has already laid out its plan to carry out drug testing among our city hall employees. Government employees are not only public servants. We should also be role models in our respective communities.”

Employees who shall be found positive of illegal substance intake, such as methamphetamine and cannabis (marijuana), shall be terminated.

Complimentary to this initiative, the officials of the barangay government are also encouraged to support the national crusade against illegal drugs through the Valenzuela City Police Station’s Anti-Illegal Drugs Campaign Plan dubbed as “Project Double Barrel”.

The said project is a combination of the “Project Tokhang” (the lower barrel) and “Project HVT/High Valued Target” (the upper barrel).

The five stages in “Project Tokhang” include the (1) collection and validation of information, (2) coordination, (3) house to house visitation, (4) processing and documentation, and (5) monitoring and evaluation.

Meanwhile, the basis of upper barrel is the Dangerous Drugs Board Resolution No. 12, Series of 2004, which provides for guidelines on clearing of drug-affected barangays, empowering Barangay Anti-Drug Abuse Councils (BADAC) the political and police powers of the barangay to administer and implement government strategic policies on drug prevention and control.

Local PNP Chief, PSSUPT Ronaldo Mendoza stressed during an inter-barangay conference last Friday, July 22, that Mayor REX is having dialogues with partner-government agencies to ensure that recidivists are put to conviction to finally end drug addiction in Valenzuela City.