Mayor Rolen Paulino, other officials undergo drug test

 

Olongapo City officials led by Mayor Rolen Paulino submitted themselves to a surprise drug test on Wednesday in support of the national government’s campaign against illegal drugs.

 

There was no special treatment, everybody went through the procedures – from filling out the form, physical examination and submission of urine samples.

“Ginawa namin ito para ipakita at maging ihemplo para sa mga taga Olongapo. Kung yung iba nating mga kababayan ay umamin na user or pusher, ito naman ang paraan namin para ipaalam sa taong bayan na malinis at hindi involve sa drugs ang mga namumuno sa kanila,” Paulino said.

Others who underwent drug testing were Vice Mayor Jong Cortez and the city councilors led by Lugie Lipumano, Bj Cajudo, Noel Atienza, Ed Guerrero, Winnie Ortiz, Edna Elane, Linus Bacay, Bas Palo and Jerome Bacay.

“It was a surprise drug test. I told Vice Mayor Jong Cortez and the city council to meet me in a restaurant and from there, I led them to the drug testing center,” Paulino said.

All tested negative for both Methamphetamine or Shabu and Marijuana, except for councilor Edic Piano, who did not take part in the drug test.

Last week, around 400 drug dependents surrendered to Mayor Paulino and the local police, and pledged to stay off drugs use and peddling.

According to Paulino, the city will be providing the “reformists” livelihood assistance, including the production of eco bags. Olongapo will be implementing a total ban on plastics use in 2017.

The “reformists” may also take part in the city’s production of caskets which will be used in Paulino’s program to help the poor in burying their dead.

“It will provide livelihood,” Paulino said. “while at the same time, save us a lot of money. We don’t have to buy caskets from funeral parlors anymore.”