Five job order casual employees of the provincial government of Negros Occidental were found to have tested positive for illegal drug use, according to Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz II.

A total of 1,878 provincial government employees underwent a random drug testing on Monday, June 16 as part of the preparations for the renewal of contracts of job order workers and contract of services (COS) employees.

Diaz emphasized the importance of ensuring that employees are working in a clean and drug-free environment, stating, "We prioritized them so we can be assured that these employees are really working clean and drug-free."

The results of the drug tests have been forwarded to the legal department for necessary actions, as the contracts of the affected workers will not be renewed by July 1.

Last December, a similar drug test revealed that 19 employees, including regulars, job order casual workers, contract employees, and security guards, tested positive for drugs. For those who tested positive among the regular employees, Diaz mentioned that they were provided with treatment or rehabilitation and could return to work upon being cleared.

Diaz reiterated the provincial government's commitment to promoting a drug-free workplace environment, stating, "It's part of our campaign to attain a drug-free workplace at the provincial capitol."