Marilyn Cahatol

Workers engage in creative activities as members of the press are given a walking tour of the Ubisoft Philippines state-of-the-art studio, at the their headquarters The Finance Centre, in Bonifacio Global City, (BGC) Taguig City, June 21, 2024. The company boasts a workplace with arcade and gaming areas and studio-wide esports tournament and spacious lounge and pantry that hopes to achieve an environment where creativity and tech meet to solve exciting challenges for its workers. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — The <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/15/padilla-office-denies-nadia-montenegro-quit-amid-probe-into-marijuana-use-1434">alleged smell of marijuana</a> inside a women’s bathroom at the Senate has cast a cloud of doubt over Nadia Montenegro, a political officer of Sen. Robinhood Padilla now on leave because of the incident.</p><p>Padilla’s office and the Senate’s Office of the Sergeant-at-Arms (OSAA) are conducting <a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/14/senate-probes-reports-staff-smoked-marijuana-in-premises-1000">separate investigations </a>to determine whether the allegation is true. </p><p>Republic Act No. 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drug Act of 2002, prohibits the use and distribution of dangerous drugs, including marijuana, ecstasy, shabu, opium and opium poppy.</p><p>However, the responsibility of keeping a workplace drug-free does not lie solely in the hands of the workers, but more so on the places where they work.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/8/15/-nakakahiya-alleged-marijuana-use-inside-philippine-senate-shocks-senator-0850"><strong>&#x27;Nakakahiya&#x27;: Alleged marijuana use inside Philippine Senate shocks senator</strong></a></div><p>The policy-making Dangerous Drug Board, under the Office of the President, has guidelines for the implementation of drug-free workplace policies and programs in private and public sectors.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>PUBLIC SECTOR</strong></div><p>Government agencies are mandated to form Drug–Free Workplace Committees responsible for maintain a drug–free workplace, conducting substance abuse awareness and prevention programs, as well as mandatory and random drug testing for all employees.</p><p>Mandatory drug testing is a major requirement for employment in the public sector. Anyone found positive for drug use should be denied employment, according to the DDB.</p><p>State workers undergo random and mandatory drug testing conducted by drug testing laboratories accredited by the Department of Health.</p><p>Those who test positive may challenge receipts within 15 days of receipt. A positive result in the confirmatory test would lead to administrative proceedings against the government employee.</p><p>An appointive public officer found guilty of using illegal drugs, or who refuses to submit to drug testing, would be charged with grave misconduct.</p><p>An elective public officer, meanwhile, would be subjected to disciplinary action.</p><p>An agency or local government unit that fails to implement a drug–free workplace policy also faces penalties.</p><p>An employee found tampering with results or interfering with the conduct of the drug test would also face charges of grave misconduct.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/5/7/bus-operators-want-surprise-drug-tests-0857"><strong>Bus operators want surprise drug tests<br/></strong></a></div><div> </div><div><strong>PRIVATE SECTOR</strong></div><p>All companies with 10 and more employees are mandated to formulate drug-free policies and programs, with the assistance of the Tripartite Task Force through the Occupational Safety and Health Center.</p><p>The drug-free policies and programs should include advocacy, education and training to increase employees’ awareness on the effects of dangerous drugs.</p><p>Companies should also require all employees to undergo drug testing, with expenses covered by the company, in testing centers accredited by DOH. </p><p>Like in the public sector, employees who test positive in the screening test will have to take a confirmatory test.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>INTERVENTIONS AND REHAB FOR PRIVATE SECTOR EMPLOYEES</strong></div><p>Workers who test positive on confirmatory tests are to be evaluated by their company&#x27;s assessment team to determine the level of care and administrative interventions that can be extended to them.</p><div><a href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/6/25/over-p9-billion-worth-of-illegal-drugs-incinerated-in-tarlac-facility-1148"><strong>Over P9-billion worth of illegal drugs incinerated in Tarlac facility<br/></strong></a></div><p>According to the DDB, the company staff or an external provider should provide treatment for the employee found guilty of using dangerous drugs.</p><p>Emotionally-distressed employees should receive assistance and counseling programs, according to the DDB.</p><p>Rehabilitation and referral procedures may be given to those diagnosed with drug dependence for the first time.</p><p>The rehabilitation center will then determine when the drug-dependent employee may return to work.</p><p>In general, all proceedings under the drug-free policies and programs are confidential.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>RELATED VIDEO:</strong></div><div style="text-align:center"><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/U68NkKHMO44?si=4VNBY6J4ezEctj_B" title="YouTube video player" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><br/></div>

<p>The policy-making Dangerous Drug Board, under the Office of the President, has guidelines for the implementation of drug-free workplace policies and programs in private and public sectors.</p>

The policy-making Dangerous Drug Board, under the Office of the President, has guidelines for the implementation of drug-free workplace policies and programs in private and public sectors.

How workplaces should keep themselves drug-free, according to the DDB

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How workplaces should keep themselves drug-free, according to the DDB

Marilyn Cahatol,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 16, 2025 02:14 PM PHT

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