DND, East Ave. Med ink drug-test MOA

Department of National Defense (DND) (Photo: Department of National Defense – Philippines/ Facebook)

MANILA — The Department of National Defense (DND) and the East Avenue Medical Center (EAMC) have signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) on drug tests for defense and military employees.

DND public affairs chief Arsenio Andolong, in a statement Friday, said the MOA was signed by Undersecretary for Policy Ricardo David Jr., who chairs the department’s Drug-Free Workplace Assessment Committee, and EAMC head Dr. Emmanuel Bueno, on behalf of the hospital’s National Reference Laboratory (NRL), at Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City on November 23.

“Today, we officially seal the covenant between the DND and the EAMC-NRL on the engagement of quality drug testing for DND employees and of course, AFP personnel,” David said. “This is a milestone for the department in the pursuit of a drug-free environment in compliance with Republic Act 9165, also known as the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002… and the pursuit of a drug-free workplace as approved by the Secretary of National Defense on July 17, 2017.”

The MOA aims to further strengthen the DND’s anti-illegal drug efforts through the conduct of the annual mandatory and random drug tests of civilian and uniformed personnel, regardless of status or position.

The agreement would also serve as the reference point for the engagement of drug testing services of the EAMC-NRL, and ensure that the DND would be able to tap into qualified, competent, and sufficient number of personnel who will conduct the drug tests.