Dagupan City councilors take drug, HIV tests
IN RESPONSE TO PDU30’S CALL
MEMBERS of the Dagupan Sangguniang Panglungsod (SP) trooped to the City Health Office on July 11 to take the drug test.
The councilors’ move to voluntarily take the drug test was in support of their Resolution No. 7430-2018, “requesting all elected and appointed government officials and employees in the city of Dagupan to undergo free drug test in authorized drug testing laboratories authorized, accredited and monitored by the Department of Health (DOH) consistent with the Republic Act 9165.”
Councilor Dennis Canto, who authored the resolution, said the city councilors took the drug test to set an example for other government officials and employees to follow.
“This is in line with the president’s directive to counter drug abuse in the country. Government employees must also be drug-free to ensure efficient and effective public service, so we want to set an example today as the city’s elected officials,” added Canto.
He lauded his fellow city councilors for voluntarily taking the drug test, a move he hoped will encourage other elected officials and employees in the city to follow.
Councilor Jeslito “Jigs” Seen said the initiative shown by the SP was one way to “help raise awareness of the drug problem among the public, and it had to start here in the Sangguniang Panglungsod.”
On the same day, the city councilors also participated in a free counseling and testing for Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) conducted by MYRNA’S CAFÉ (Model Youth-oriented Rendezvous of Networks preventing AIDS-HIV, Center for Adolescent/Adult Fertility Education), an accredited partner of the Department of Health.
Councilor Joey Tamayo underscored the need to be regularly tested for HIV.
“Somehow, some (way), somebody has to start. The (SP) started this initiative to encourage others to get tested. The HIV virus is dangerous and getting tested is also one way of making sure we are free from this virus.” said Tamayo.
Meanwhile, Councilor Alvin Coquia said participating in the testing is a way of being transparent to the public, it being one of the many responsibilities of an elected official. “We have an obligation to be drug and HIV free. This is also to encourage those who are scared to get tested for HIV.” said Coquia. (CIO/VdV)
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