THE Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) has dismissed workers who tested positive for drugs last year.
The agency conducts year-round random drug testing, which led to 16 positive results out of 3,054 tested over the past year.
“All personnel who tested positive in the drug test and were on job orders have been dismissed from their positions,” the CAAP said in a statement.
The tests were also conducted on 118 in-flight crew members at 44 commercial airports, and all aircrew members tested negative for prohibited drugs, the agency disclosed.
CAAP spokesman Eric Apolonio said the drug tests were conducted in compliance with Republic Act 9165 or the Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002, Civil Service Commission’s memorandum circular 13, which calls for a drug-free workplace, and the Philippine Civil Aviation Regulation on Psychoactive Testing and Reporting that requires drug testing on airport personnel.
The CAAP oversees 81 airports across the country, while five others are managed by other airport authorities, such as the Ninoy Aquino International Airport, Subic Bay International Airport, Clark
International Airport, Cebu-Mactan International Airport, and Lal-lo International Airport (Cagayan North International Airport).
As the Philippines’ aviation safety oversight mechanism, the CAAP is responsible for providing safe and efficient air transport and regulatory services in the country. With approximately 6,000 employees, it is stationed at the Old MIA Road in Pasay City and 12 area centers around the Philippines.
