THE City Health Services Office (CHSO) has been ordered to start planning on the putting up of a government-run drug testing facility in the city.
Currently, the CHSO has been ordered to conduct a financial study in support of the move to establish the center in accordance with the existing implementing rules and regulations that apply to the licensing and accreditation of drug testing laboratories in the country.
The CHSO has also been directed to draft a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the study and deliberation of the city council.
Ordinance No. 32, series of 2004 provided for the establishment of a drug testing laboratory at the CHSO, charging an initial amount of P200,000 for the project against the appropriations of the City Anti-drug Abuse Council (CADAC).
However, in Resolution No. 350, series of 2021, signed by Mayor Benjamin B. Magalong, local health experts and personnel cited the fund as being far too low for the conduct and establishment of the drug testing facility.
The resolution notes that the project has not moved forward as the P200,000 initial appropriation is not enough to cover the costs of necessary equipment such as freezers and basic drug-testing kits.
As such, the city council has moved to order the CHSO to conduct and provide a financial study on the matter in order to allow it to progress.
