Missing equipment affect Quiño's priority projects

CEBU, Philippines - Compostela Mayor Joel Quiño yesterday revealed that the town’s heavy equipment are missing affecting the implementation of his priority projects.

Quiño said the previous administration failed to turnover these equipment—including backhoe, six-wheeler trucks, and vans.

“Nakaingon ko nga nawagtang kay wa ko kakita unya wa say gi-turn over. Wala ko mag-akusar if ila bang gipang-scrap or gipangbaligya. Magkuan lang ta ba nganong di man sila ka-turn-over kung wa pa nawala,” Quiño said.

These pieces of equipment are allegedly needed by his administration in the road maintenance, street lighting projects, among others.

Former mayor Ritchie Wagas said that Quiño’s statement only shows his ignorance of the process. According to Wagas, the municipal treasurer has custody of all the properties of the municipal government.

“Mayors come and go, dili magdala ug unsa pa diha. The Office of the Treasurer mao’y property custodian ana. Well, nakasabot ko niya kay bag-o pa man siya na mayor,” Wagas said.

But Quino said that based on the report of municipal treasurer Cleofe Gonzaga the equipment is still missing.

Quino said he ordered Gonzaga to auction their unserviceable equipment like the garbage truck, mini-dump truck, and service car to raise funds to buy new equipment.

“Importante man gud nang mga equipment sa road maintenance. Daghan pang problema like for example ang pag-implement sa solid waste, usa man na sa priority nato, hasta street lighting, ug ang atong merkado na ang sistema mahan-ay na,” he said.

After such projects are implemented, the mayor said he would proceed to the mountain barangays. For the meantime, Quiño said they are making use of the available equipment they have.

Quino only assumed office recently after the Commission on Elections has declared him winner over Wagas who protested his earlier proclamation. — (FREEMAN)