TARLAKENYO (February 12, 2026) — In a significant stride toward administrative excellence and public safety, five Local Government Units (LGUs) in Tarlac were formally recognized for their unwavering commitment to maintaining drug-free working environments.
The Municipalities of Anao, Capas, Concepcion, Gerona, and Victoria officially received the Drug-Free Workplace (DFW) Certification during an awarding ceremony held on February 10, 2026, at the Royce Hotel in Clark, Pampanga.
The certification, granted by the Drug-Free Workplace Committee Region III, was conferred after a stringent deliberation process conducted by the DFW Regional Team.
The committee verified that the five LGUs had fully complied with all parameters set forth under Joint Memorandum Circular No. 01, series of 2024. This circular outlines the implementing guidelines for the Drug-Free Workplace Certification Program for both national government agencies and LGUs operating within Central Luzon.
Receiving the certificates on behalf of their respective municipalities were the Local Chief Executives themselves—a testament to the high priority their administrations place on workplace safety and wellness.
Honored during the ceremony were Anao Mayor Gian Pierre De Dios, Capas Mayor Roseller Rodriguez, Concepcion Mayor Noel Villanueva, Gerona Mayor May Eclar, and Victoria Mayor Rex Villa Agustin.
They were accompanied by their respective Municipal Health Officers, Municipal Human Resource Management Officers, and Municipal Local Government Operations Officers, whose collaborative efforts were instrumental in securing the certification.
The event drew support from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Tarlac, led by Provincial Director Zotico Gerson A. Villanueva Jr., CESE. His presence underscored the DILG’s steadfast commitment to guiding LGUs toward administrative best practices and, more importantly, fostering safe and healthy working environments for government employees.
The recognition places Anao, Capas, Concepcion, Gerona, and Victoria on the map as exemplars of safety and good governance. By championing a healthy, drug-free workplace, these LGUs are not only protecting their employees but also setting a powerful example for their constituents and neighboring localities.
As Central Luzon continues to intensify its campaign against illegal drugs, the proactive stance of these five Tarlac municipalities serves as a blueprint for others to follow—proving that safety begins at the workplace, and leadership begins with commitment.
