Question & AnswerQ&A (DDB BOARD REGULATION NO. 11, S. 2003)
The primary purpose is to require mandatory drug testing for applicants of firearms licenses and permits to carry firearms outside of residence, as well as for certain related personnel, to ensure they are free from use of dangerous drugs.
Applicants for firearm possession licenses and permits to carry firearms outside residence, applicants for licenses to operate or deal in firearms, warehouse personnel of licensed firearms dealers, private security personnel (including operators, managers, guards, officers, private detectives), government security unit members, and firearms training personnel.
Republic Act No. 9165, Article III, Section 36, paragraph (b) mandates mandatory drug testing for such applicants.
Employees of licensed firearms dealers or manufacturers such as vault keepers or warehouse personnel and licensed private security personnel are subject to random drug testing.
It covers all persons, natural or juridical, seeking firearms-related privileges under PNP regulatory authority, including business entities and employees handling firearms during employment. Employers of training institutions may also require random drug testing pursuant to RA 9165 and DOLE coordination.
The drug test certificate is valid for one year from the date of issue and may be used for multiple license applications within that period.
The employers bear the cost of random drug testing for their employees.
A positive preliminary test leads to a confirmatory drug test. Only a positive confirmatory result can be contested. Those found positive are dealt with according to RA 9165 and related laws.
Administrative sanctions by the PNP may be imposed and confirmed by the Dangerous Drugs Board and do not bar criminal prosecution under Section 32 of RA 9165.
The PNP Accreditation Committee may cancel their accreditation. The DDB and DOH lead operations against such centers and their criminal prosecution if warranted.
PTCFOR stands for Permit to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence, a written authority issued by the PNP allowing a person to carry a firearm outside their residence for a specified duration and purpose.
The authorized representative is a person designated and authorized by a juridical entity, such as a proprietor, manager, or operator, to apply for and obtain firearm licenses on its behalf.
They should consider conducting random drug testing for employees handling firearms in coordination with DOLE and submit reports certifying that their establishments are drug-free workplaces for license renewal purposes.
The DTMVC, under DOH supervision, confirms and validates drug test results submitted by accredited drug testing centers to the end-using office via information technology.