ANGELES CITY — Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. will implement a mandatory illegal drug test for new and re-elected Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials here.
This is in line with the City Government’s effort to combat illegal drug use and maintain a drug-free environment in Angeles City.
“It is my desire to strengthen our campaign against illegal drugs through the help of our barangay officials,” Mayor Lazatin said.
Lazatin made such a remark while addressing the 33 barangay captains, 231 kagawads, 33 SK chairpersons, and 231 SK kagawads of the city who took their oath of office before Vice Governor Lilia “Nanay” Pineda in a mass oath-taking ceremony held in Royce Hotel Clark.
Also present were Pampanga Governor Dennis ‘Delta’ Pineda, First District Rep. Carmelo “Jon” Lazatin II, Mabalacat City Mayor Crisostomo Garbo, Magalang town Malu Lacson, Angeles City Vice Mayor Vicenta Vega-Cabigting, Magalang town Councilor Norman Lacson, and Angeles City Councilors.
Since his administration, Lazatin has been subjecting city hall employees to undergo a random and regular drug testing to ensure a drug-free workplace.
To date, 4,500 employees at Angeles City Hall have undergone drug testing, and the city hall is soon to be declared a drug-free workplace.
Lazatin now seeks for the same policy to be adopted by the barangay officials and be implemented at the grassroots level.
“I encourage you to pass an ordinance for a mandatory drug testing to all barangay officials and workers,” Mayor Lazatin added.
Mayor Lazatin also ensured that the City Government has the resources and capability to make such city-wide policy with the help of the Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council (ACADAC).
Part of the flagship program of Mayor Lazatin’s administration is to fight against illegal drugs.
It could also be remembered that in 2022, Mayor Lazatin adopted the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency’s (PDEA) ‘Oplan Harabas’, or the mandatory drug testing for all drivers in public terminals to ensure the public’s safety against drugged drivers.
