The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has partnered with the Pasig City local government to roll out a workplace-based Drug Abuse Prevention Program, formalizing the collaboration through a memorandum of understanding (MOU) signed Tuesday, January 27.

The agreement positions the power sector regulator alongside the Pasig City LGU in promoting a drug-free work environment, a move the ERC framed as part of strengthening governance and institutional capacity within the energy sector.

ERC Chairperson and CEO Atty. Francis Saturnino C. Juan said the partnership is aimed at safeguarding employee welfare while reinforcing public trust in the Commission.

“Our goal is to promote a safe, healthy, and productive workplace for all ERC employees. Through this collaboration, we affirm that a drug-free workplace is not only a matter of compliance but also a cornerstone of responsible governance, employee welfare, and public service excellence,” Juan said during the signing at the temporary Pasig City Hall.

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto welcomed the initiative, underscoring the need for adaptive strategies in addressing drug abuse.

“We all know that illegal drugs are a seemingly endless problem. That is why it is important that our approaches and interventions continue to evolve so we can reduce the adverse effects of illegal drugs,” Sotto said in Filipino.

Under the MOU, the Pasig City Anti-Drug Abuse Office (PCADAO) will provide technical assistance to the ERC Drug-Free Workplace Committee in designing and implementing the Commission’s Drug Abuse Prevention Program. The partnership also covers the provision of information, education, and communication materials focused on drug abuse prevention.

For the ERC, the collaboration aligns its internal programs with national laws and recognized best practices, while reinforcing its broader mandate as an energy regulator that upholds standards of accountability, safety, and professionalism within government.

What do you think? Join the discussion on how workplace-focused prevention programs can shape governance culture and institutional credibility in the Philippine energy sector. 

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