297 Mangaldan officials, employees, take drug test
MANGALDAN—The 297 municipal employees and elected officials of the town took the drug test on Monday following the issuance of an executive order by Mayor Bonafe Parayno.
Only two councilors refused to be tested for drug use.
Mayor Parayno, who led the drug testing, said the executive order for a mandatory drug test all employees and officials is her way of responding to allegations that she is involved in the illegal drug trade in the town.
The members of the Sangguniang Bayan (SB) were surprised by the drug test ordered to be held during their regular session.
Two of the councilors, Atty. Joseph Manuel Cera and Joselito Quinto refused to be tested and invoked their right to privacy.
Mr. Cera said in an interview, he is willing to be tested on drugs even through blood test but on his terms and not as an imposition of the mayor. He, however, did not say when and where he will submit himself to a drug test.
Mr. Quinto could not be reached for comment.
The drug testing was conducted by the Municipal Health Office (MHO) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) provincial crime laboratory.
Dr. Ofelia Rivera, municipal health officer said the results from the crime lab will be out within three to four days after the testing.
Ms. Parayno reiterated “hindi ako user, o pusher at ito ang paraan para patunayan ko ito”.
She said she wants the town to be drug- free.
Meanwhile, Mayor Parayno said the LGU and the Mangaldan police are preparing a six-month training and rehabilitation program for self-confessed drug pushers and users who will surrender to authorities.
“The rehabilitation program will engage the drug pushers and users to various activities such as sports, community service and spiritual counseling so they will not go back to their illegal drug activity,” she said.
P/Supt. Jackie Candelario, spokesman of the Pangasinan police, lauded the initiative of Mangaldan and challenged other LGUs to do the same to help the police in its campaign against illegal drugs. (Hilda Austria/PIA-Pangasinan)
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