Gwen to auction service vehicle

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia is planning to auction her current service vehicle and to use the proceeds to buy a new one.

Jeanette Malinao, Capitol consultant on electronic and mass media, said Garcia wanted a new service vehicle since she assumed office after her reelection.

But since the governor is always wary of spending government funds, Malinao said that Garcia decided to auction her service vehicle with the proceeds to be added to the fund allocated to procure a new vehicle.

Garcia's black Nissan Patrol has been her service vehicle since she decided to launch her political campaign in 2003, Malinao said.

The Capitol is still drafting guidelines for the auction including the date and venue.

Jojo Bersales, Capitol consultant on museum affairs, said that the vehicle will be considered historic 30 years from now.

Meanwhile, Garcia has ordered the General Services Office to conduct an inventory of all the Capitol’s vehicles that are five years old and above.

The governor also wants to auction those vehicles with the proceeds added to the allocations for the purchase of new vehicles.

She said that it is more economical to buy new cars rather than maintaining the old ones.

Capitol has 43 vehicles assigned to various offices, most of them donated by the Japan International Cooperation Agency.

After the province-owned cars will be bid out, Garcia will negotiate with the car companies to purchase new vehicles at wholesale prices.

Earlier, Cebu Provincial Board members got their new service cars --15 Black Toyota Hiluxes.  - Gerome M. Dalipe/BRP