Angeles City Mayor Carmelo “Pogi” Lazatin, Jr. on August 3, 2023 ordered the Angeles City Anti-Drug Abuse Council to conduct a surprise drug test on 84 members of the Mayor’s Office, Angeles City Tourism Office, City Information Office, Angeles City Nutrition Office, and Angeles City Economic Development and Investment Promotions Office. 

Present during the surprise drug test is Executive Assistant IV Reina Manuel. 

“We will ensure that the city hall will be drug-free,” Lazatin underscored. 

According to Lazatin, those who will yield positive will undergo rehabilitation. 

This initiative, Lazatin said, will reduce the demand for illegal drugs and at the same time, promote a drug-free workplace and reformation. 

It can be recalled that it was under the watch of Lazatin that the Balay Silangan reformation center was established, which Lazatin said will be expanded in his second term. 

The Balay Silangan Reformation Center is a brainchild of then Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency Director General Aaron Aquino to reform illegal drug offenders.