Davao City opens 3rd on-line Drug-Free Workplace Program for biz firms

The Davao City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (CADAC) has opened registration for the third batch of participants in the webinar or on-line seminar on Drug-Free Workplace Program for business establishments with ten (10) or more employees.

The city government through CADAC moved its two-day Drug-Free workplace Program on-line using the Google Meet or Zoom platforms since restrictions on mass gatherings or meetings are still prohibited. The first two webinars were conducted on June 4 and June 9.

CADAC is now calling for the third batch of participants.

To register for the orientation, business establishments are to coordinate with training providers for the upcoming schedules:

June 16-17 with the Ateneo de Davao University, Kristi Lou S. Taming with contact details 0932 768 4557, 0927 313 4752, 228-1585 and ateneodfw@gmail.com;

June 18-19 with the University of the Immaculate Conception, Dr. Corazon Mamon-Umblero with contact details 0943 128 4709, 296-2083, 221-8090 loc 165 and cumblero@uic.edu.ph;

June 23-24 with the University of Mindanao, Angielou A. Padoran, 0907 602 3253, 0926 210 5938, 305-0645 loc 147 and cec@umindanao.edu.ph; and,

July 1-2 with the Holy Cross of Davao College, Dannitz E. Paclipan with contact details 0918 241 3589 and 221-9071 loc 209, 210 and 211 and depaclipan@hcdc.edu.ph.

The Drug-Free Workplace Program and mandatory drug testing are being offered by the city government to business establishments with 10 or more employees because these are required to get a business permit.

Concepcion Domag, CADAC Technical Adviser said the city needs to push through with the implementation of the Executive Order No. 32 s. of 2018 or the implementing rules and regulation of Davao City Ordinance No. 0506-13, or the “Ordinance Mandating Random Drug Testing in all establishments in Davao City employing ten (10) or more employees and establishing the same as a requirement in the acquisition and renewal of business permits” while conforming with the new normal rules.

“Padayon gihapon ni siya kay (This will continue since) this is a city ordinance mandating all business establishment in Davao City with 10 or more employees to comply with the city ordinance mandating the companies to conduct mandatory drug testing among their employees. Since ordinance man siya, wala man tay advise nga i-lift or i-postpone ang compliance period so padayon gihapon ta. Pero because of this pandemic, naa tay adjustments (Since it is an ordinance and we did not receive or advise for the compliance period to be lifted or postponed so we will continue. Because of this pandemic, we have adjustments),” Domag said.

Effective January this year, establishments with ten (10) or more employees are required to present documents such as Attendance to the Drug-Free Workplace Orientation/Training, Certification of Compliance Conduct of Mandatory Random Drug Testing from the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and formation of Drug-Free Workplace Policy and Three-Year Drug Abuse Prevention Plan upon renewal and registration of their business.

Domag, however, said that CADAC and the Business Bureau have given consideration for the establishments to comply with the requirements due to limited movement under the quarantine period.

“For example sa drug testing, physical contact man gud ni siya. With the new normal, they cannot go to a drug testing laboratory on a large number, so paisa-isa so that would delay the process (For example in drug testing, it requires physical contact. Under the new normal, we expect a delay in the process because everybody cannot go to a drug testing laboratory, they have to go one by one),” she said.

The Drug-Free Workplace Orientation will cover all the process that must be complied by the business establishments. Since the program was launched last year, CADAC already conducted the orientation/training to 2,719 business establishments. CIO