ANGELES CITY — The city government here under the leadership of Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. has started the surprise drug testing of barangay officials on March 7, 2024.
This initiative of Mayor Lazatin is the first-ever in the history of the city.
Mayor Lazatin personally supervised the surprise drug testing with personnel from Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council headed by Ricky Saul.
Comprising the working committee of the surprise drug testing are Lazatin’s Chief Adviser IC Calaguas, Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel, City Health Office led by Dr. Verona Guevarra, Angeles City Tourism Auxiliary headed by Michael Lising, Gender and Development Office led by Mina Cabiles, Angeles City Economic Development Investment and Promotions Office headed by Irish Bonus-Llego and the Barangay Affairs and Public Assistance Center.
“Ang ginagawa nating ito ay bahagi po ng ating programa kontra droga,” Lazatin said.
“Ito rin po ay upang masiguro na walang droga sa hanay ng mga nanunungkulan at nagtatrabaho sa ating 33 barangays,” Lazatin furthered.
Calaguas said a total of 6,670 barangay officials and workers in the 33 barangays will be drug-tested via surprise visit.
The barangays randomly visited today, March 7, 2024, are Sto. Rosario, Agapito Del Rosario, Claro M. Recto, Sto. Cristo, and Mining.
Association of Barangay Council President Danilo Nacu further said that this initiative has his full support as this is in pursuit of the betterment of the city, the barangay officials as well as the workers.
“Sinusuportahan po natin ang adhikain ng ating butihing Mayor Pogi, para sa ikabubuti rin po ito ng ating mga barangay officials lalo na ng buong siyudad,” Nacu said.
To recall, some 4,695 city hall employees underwent surprise drug tests in 2023 upon the order of Mayor Lazatin.
