The Traffic Enforcement Agency of Mandaue (TEAM) has recruited 21 new personnel to fill vacancies left by employees dismissed after testing positive for illegal drugs in a city-initiated random drug test.
TEAM head Hyll Retuya said the new hires began deployment on Nov. 1 after receiving their respective reports to work.
The recruits will take over some posts previously assigned to the dismissed employees, while others will be stationed in different areas as part of the agency’s personnel rotation.
“As replacement sa mga nangatangtang, duna pod tay gipahigayon nga hiring. Karon naka-hire na ta og mga 21 ka mga TEAM personnel,” Retuya said in an interview on Nov. 10.
Since the recruits are still adjusting to the agency’s operations, TEAM will pair them with experienced personnel through a buddy system during their initial deployment.
“Di man sad ni sila pwede nga sila-sila lang kay mga bag-o baya. Mahug nga buddy ni sila sa katong mga existing ug mga daan,” he said.
Retuya said the arrangement would help the new enforcers learn their assigned areas, traffic management procedures and other duties before they independently take charge of their posts.
He added that all 21 recruits underwent drug testing and submitted the required results as part of the agency’s screening process. TEAM has required drug tests for applicants since early this year to ensure they are cleared before joining the workforce.
During their orientation, Retuya also warned the new personnel against involvement in illegal drugs and corruption, which he said could lead to their dismissal.
“Ako ra gyud gipahimangno ana nila nga golden rule nako nga dili gyud ma-involved sa corruption ug sa drugs kay mao ra gyud na ang sagad nga kataktakan gyud nila,” he said.
Before deployment, the recruits completed a three-day comprehensive seminar, a Land Transportation Office refresher seminar and radio communication training to prepare them for their responsibilities as traffic enforcers.
The hiring followed the dismissal of 18 TEAM job order employees who tested positive for illegal drugs in a random drug test conducted on Oct. 13.
The terminations took effect immediately upon the issuance of a memorandum, following Mayor Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano’s decision announced by City Administrator Atty. Gonzalo Malig-on Jr. on Oct. 19.
The 18 were among more than 300 TEAM personnel who underwent the random drug testing initiated by the city government.
Comments