Pubdate: Fri, 06 Feb 2015
Source: Mindanao Times (Philippines)
Contact:  2015 Mindanao Times.
Website: http://mindanaotimes.net/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/2980
Author: Yas Ocampo

GIVE DRUG TEST FOR TEACHERS A CHANCE: DEPED EXEC SAYS

THE MANDATORY drug and neuro-psychiatric tests required on 8,000 
public school teachers was the result of the Department of 
Education's rationalization plan that transferred health care to the 
City Health Office.

In an interview Thursday at the DepEd divisions schools office, 
administrator Gerard Pil said it was the CHO that mandated the 
mandatory tests for the teachers since the agency no longer has a 
medical office to take care of their well-being.

The decision was reportedly made in coordination with the CHO, in 
several meetings with Pil and personnel from the DepEd's health and 
nutrition office.

The teachers, according to Pil, do not have to pay for the tests as 
they were given P2,000 in medical examination for teachers assistance 
(META). Pil called the mandatory testing a "win-win situation."

"Let's give this mandatory testing a chance this year," Pil said.

Officers of the Alliance of Concerned Teachers on Wednesday slammed 
the Dep Ed Davao City division for reportedly infringing on their 
human rights and called the mandatory testing "without legal basis" 
and "degrading."

"Maybe the teachers were just surprised because our previous practice 
was only to require them to submit a chest x-ray and results of their 
urinalysis," Pil said.

According to Elenito Escalante on Wednesday, City Health Officer 
Josephine Villafuerte reportedly told members of the organization 
that the DepEd does not have to require its employees to take neuro 
and drug tests.

A copy of CSC memo no. 13 series of 2010 mandated heads of government 
agencies to require drug testing of employees. However, the memo only 
said the testing should be done as a requirement for pre-employment.

Escalante said teachers no longer needed to be tested while already employed.

He said, however, that it was acceptable for the department to 
conduct a random drug test for its employees.

The Dep Ed administrator admitted that there was no prior 
consultation among the teachers about the testing.

However, Pil said that there was a precedent to the memo it released 
in December 2014. He said there had been a previous Civil Service 
Commission case that decided that school administrators may require 
its personnel to take mandatory drug testing.

An earlier CSC memo said it would subject any employee found positive 
for drugs with disciplinary or administrative proceedings.

Penalties include dismissal from public service, even at first 
offense. The memo was signed by CSC chair Francisco Duque III in July 2010.

The teachers' group is still waiting for the response of the CSC.

City council committee on education chair Maria Belen Acosta on 
Wednesday asked Escalante to keep her in the loop about the policy, 
adding this was the first time she heard of a mandatory testing for teachers.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom