THE Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) and the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on the drug testing of the latter’s personnel in the pursuit of a drug-free workplace.

A joint agreement was also reached by both parties in the preservation of non-drug evidence (NDEs) in the form of motor vehicles, either used as instruments in the commission of the offenses or proceeds from the commissions thereof.

The historic MOA signing was held Tuesday, December 7, 2021 at the PDEA Activity Area, PDEA National Headquarters in Quezon City. The main signatories were PDEA Director General Wilkins M Villanueva; and TESDA Director General Secretary Isidro S Lapeña. The event was witnessed by the core officers and staff of both parties.

Under the agreement, PDEA shall conduct drug testing to TESDA employees free of charge for dual parameter (methamphetamine and tetrahydrocannabinol). The employees are randomly selected from the pool of personnel who reported for work on the day of the drug test.

The agreement was made pursuant to Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 13 Series of 2017, or the “Guidelines in the Mandatory Random Drug Test for Public Officials and Employees”.

Villanueva expressed appreciation for the initiative of TESDA Secretary Lapeña to conduct drug testing among their ranks as prescribed by civil service laws.

“We hope other government agencies will follow TESDA’s lead. All government agencies must be drug-free. This should be the case to ensure an effective and efficient public service free from the hazards of drug use,” Villanueva said.

On the other hand, PDEA and TESDA likewise entered into an agreement to properly preserve the integrity and evidentiary value of confiscated motor vehicles during anti-drug operations that are due for maintenance, preservation, restoration and repair, awaiting the pendency of the cases.

“There is a need to maintain and preserve the condition of these vehicles in anticipation of its eventual forfeiture in favor of the Agency,” Villanueva noted.

Provisions under Section 20 (as amended), Article II of Republic Act No. 9165, or the “Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act of 2002” state that all proceeds and properties derived from the unlawful act, are eligible for forfeiture in favor of the government.

Under the MOA, TESDA shall provide technical assistance, manpower and services to PDEA relative to the maintenance and preservation of confiscated motor vehicles. TESDA trainees, under the direct supervision of their respective trainors, shall perform the repair and restoration works.

“Apart from crime deterrence, the forfeiture of the drug proceeds means acquiring more tools to complement the fulfillment of our mandate in terms of operational mobility,” the PDEA chief said.

The MOA was the first between PDEA and TESDA.