Mayor Ondo fires 4 employees, brings to 15 total number of dismissals due to drug use

WAGING WAR ON DRUGS. Mayor Ondo meets the city’s police force to tackle the drug problem. (Photo by Joseph Levi Sausa)

MAYOR Edward C. Codilla dismissed from the service four employees of the City Hall who were found positive of substance abuse during the latest round of random drug test conducted on Sept. 15 last year. Those who tested positive were three regular and one plantilla (casual) employees.

Mayor Codilla based his decision on the recommendation of the Disciplinary Action Committee (DAC) chaired by City Administrator Francis Pepito with department heads and representatives from first and second level employees as members. The DAC is tasked to conduct investigations and hearings on erring officials and employees of the city government.

The latest termination brings to 15 the number of employees (nine regular and six casual) dismissed by Mayor Codilla during three rounds of drug tests conducted last year. The first test was on Aug. 4 wherein six regular employees were fired while the second was on Sept. 8 that resulted to the termination of five casuals.

The employees were terminated based on the offense of grave misconduct. Under Section 46(A)(3), Rule 10 of the Revised Rules on Administrative Cases in the Civil Service, grave misconduct is punishable by dismissal even for the first offense.

“It must be stressed that as public servants, we are duty bound to uphold the ethical and moral standards as we are constitutionally mandated to serve the public with utmost efficiency and credibility and to be accountable at all times. By using prohibited drugs, respondent(s) (have) not only disrespected and injured (their) own (selves) but the public as well,” Mayor Codilla wrote in his decision.

“Indeed, a user of a prohibited drug has no room in public service and must be immediately stamped out so as to preserve the dignity of the institution of public service,” the decision goes on. “As father of this city, I am duty bound to eradicate the soonest possible time this drug menace in our midst which society abhors and condemns, and see to it that we will have competent, efficient and honest city government employees who are entitled to serve and be respected by the public.”

Mayor Ondo leads city officials in submitting to drug test

LEADING BY EXAMPLE. Mayor Ondo fills up a form prior to 
taking a drug test as other city officials wait for their turn.
(Photo by Joseph Levi Sausa)

IN support of the Civil Service Commission’s (CSC) drive for a drug-free workplace, officials and department heads of the city government submitted themselves to drug testing. Led by Mayor Edward C. Codilla, the officials trooped to Mejia Clinical Drug near City Hall right after the flag ceremony on May 25.

The exercise was in pursuant to CSC Memorandum Circular No. 13 s. 2010 which carries the subject “Guidelines for a Drug Free Workplace in the Bureaucracy.” Item number one of the circular states that in consonance with MC No. 34 s. 1997, “All officials and employees entering the government service shall be required to undergo drug test.” 

 Mayor Codilla was joined by Vice Mayor Leo Carmelo L. Locsin Jr., and Councilors Ruben R. Capahi, Pedro Godiardo P. Ebcas, John Eulalio Nepomuceno O. Aparis II and Rolando M. Villasencio. On the other hand, City Administrator Francis Pepito led the department and office heads in undergoing the test. 

The others are City Planning and Development Officer Engr. Raoul E. Cam, City Social Welfare and Development Officer Marietta S. Legaspi, City Health Officer Nelita D. Navales, City Legal Officer Ivan B. Verallo, City Engineer Ranulfo D. Oliveros, Engr. Gervacio L. Germano Jr. of Ormoc Waterworks and Sewerage Administration, Human Resource Management Officer Adelaida H. Biacolo, Internal Auditor Sabrina P. Duero, Executive Asst. Ma. Regina O. Alfafara of the Mayor’s Office, Sangguniang Panlungsod Secretary Joel S. Duero, Public Affairs Supervising Administrative OIC Lilian A. Pocson and Civil Security Unit Head Jerry Y. Seledio.

First set of Tzu Chi settlers thank Mayor Ondo, Violy

Engr. Violy Codilla distributes wall clocks to housing beneficiaries of Tzu Chi Great Love Village. The clocks are donated by Yakal Construction. (Photo by Josephine Serseña)

“Daghan kaayong salamat mayor (Ondo), maam Violy,” says Michael Serida and Luz Sanchez who were among the families that recently relocated to the Tzu Chi Great Love Village in Lilo-an The 150 families that moved in marks the start of what is foreseen to be a community of 2,000 households that will enjoy the shelter assistance provided by the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation. 

Tzu Chi Great Love Village is within the 50-hectare land donated by Mayor Codilla’s family. The qualified beneficiaries were came from the temporary bunkhouses in Can-untog and Concepcion. Serida and Sanchez relayed how lucky they were to be amongst the families who now reside at the Great Love Vilalge. 

They recalled how the city government assisted them when they left their house and transferred to the bunkhouse. “Gi-provide-an mi og transportation gikan sa among mga balay kaniadto padulong ngadto sa bunkhouse. Karon gihatod na pod mi dinhi sa Tzu Chi Village. Gihatagan pud mi og bugas, suga, solar (lamps/panels), wall clock, habol ug groceries,” shares Serida and Sanchez.

Settlers urge critics: Come and see for yourself

Critics and non-believers are discouraging other interested families from the moving into Tzu Chi Great Love City. The settlers, however, have a call for them. “Come and see .for yourselves.” Tzu Chi Foundation made improvements in the area to address the threat of flooding.

“Suroy mo ngadto aron makita ninyo unsa kalapad didto para kamo mismo ang mohusga,” Sanchez challenges, adding that hearsays and rumors are just to discredit the noble intentions of the donors.  Serida and Sanchez also share how decent their homes are.

“Naa na mi maingon nga among balay. Naa nay CR, master’s bedroom, bedroom para sa mga bata and beds nga tagsa gyud.” They also confirm that electricity, streetlights and water supply have reached the Great Love City.

Classes, transportation: newfound challenges

Days before the opening of classes for school year 2015-16 the settlers are still considering options where to send their children. To this the City Social Welfare and Development Office is considering putting up temporary schools to cater the needs of the pupils. Moreover, there are some proximate schools where children can study namely Lilo-an Central School, RM Tan Elementary School and Lilo-an National High School.

Tricycle routes have already been mapped out that would prove to be of great help to the students and workers within the relocation site as well as the nearby areas. There are already meetings pertaining to implementing a tricycle route towards the Great Love City. If implemented, this tricycle route can help serve the students and employees living inside and near the said relocation site. by Joey Vincent Motel

City Social Welfare and Development Officer Marietta Legaspi assists a housing beneficiary to his new home at Tzu Chi Great Love Village. The transferees are holding household items given to them for free. (Photo by Josephine Serseña)