The Bureau of Customs conducted a surprise random drug tests on officers and employees right after the flag raising ceremony yesterday morning.
BOC Deputy Commissioner Raniel Ramiro of the Intelligence Group said the drug test is done in accordance with the Dangerous Drugs Board Regulation No. 13, series of 2018, which provides for the establishment and institutionalization of a drug-free workplace policies in all government offices.
In a statement, the BOC cited the mandate of President Rodrigo Duterte to eradicate illegal drugs in the workplace as an impetus to conduct a surprise random drug tests.
“This initiative is in line with the guidance of the Commissioner, pursuant to his commitment for a drug-free workplace, implemented by Deputy Commissioner, IG and Deputy Commissioner, IAG,” the BOC said.
The undertaking was coordinated by the Customs Intelligence and Investigation Service and the Customs Anti-Illegal Drugs Task Force with the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency while CIIS and CAIDTF are assisting the chemists from PDEA in collecting urine samples from the employees assigned at the Office of the Commissioner, Port of Manila, and Manila International Container Port.
Officials and employees who refuse to submit themselves for drug testing without valid reason shall be issued with show cause order by the Commissioner or his authorized representative.
Those who tested positive of drug use after the initial screening test shall be subjected to further confirmatory drug test.