TESDA: Agency’s campaign vs. illegal drugs a success

The surprise mandatory random drug testing is based on Section I of Board Regulation No. 2, series of 2004 of the Dangerous Drugs Board and Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in which TESDA also issued Circular No. 52 for its policies and guidelines. (Photo: TESDA/ Facebook)

MANILA–The Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) on Sunday said its campaign against illegal drugs has been successful, as its officials and employees tested negative and were cleared of illegal drugs use.

TESDA Director General Guiling Mamondiong led the random drug testing at the TESDA Central Office, TESDA National Capital Region (NCR) and TESDA Region 4-A (Cavite, Laguna,Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) area.

Mamondiong said 181 of the 211 (85.78 percent) TESDA officials and employees yielded negative results in the drug tests.

The surprise mandatory random drug testing is based on Section I of Board Regulation No. 2, series of 2004 of the Dangerous Drugs Board and Republic Act 9165, or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002 in which TESDA also issued Circular No. 52 for its policies and guidelines.

Employees chosen for the random drug testing but were not able to submit their urine laboratory test because of field work were advised to take the test at the East Avenue Medical Center in Quezon City anytime this year, according to the agency.

Among the regions that participated in the TESDA random drug testing were Region I (252 employees or 87.20 percent), Region IV (322 or 70 percent), Region VII (235, 92.52 percent), Region X (317, 89.04 percent) Region XII (27, 15.17 percent).

Mamondiong said he is confident that all TESDA regional offices will also conduct a surprise drug test to help achieve a drug-free Philippines and fight against illegal drugs.