CH cuts fuel allocation

CEBU, Philippines - Effective Sept. 1, the Cebu City Government will cut fuel allocation for all City Hall vehicles as well as those issued to the different barangays because the city is now short of its budget.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete and Councilor Jose Daluz III met with the barangay captains at the City Hall yesterday to explain to them the reason for the move.

Poblete explained that most of the city-owned vehicles have a maximum allocation of 300 liters every month, but it will be reduced to only 100 liters next month.

The city has close to 800 vehicles and is also giving fuel allocations to 475 vehicles issued to the barangays.

Mayor Michael Rama told The Freeman that the reduction of fuel allocations would be implemented to all, including vehicles issued to the Office of the Mayor.

“Tanan walay pili. Apil man gani ang akong sakyanan nga ibanan ang fuel allocation,” the mayor said.

But Daluz explained that garbage vehicles and patrol cars of the police and barangay tanods will not be affected by this new policy.

The barangay captains, particularly those allies of the mayor, understand the situation and did not complain.

Engr. Rolando Ardoza, head of the City Hall General Service Office (GSO), said the P100 million fuel budget that was approved by the City Council will be consumed out weeks from now.

The mayor’s proposed supplemental budget 2 includes P20 million for fuel.

But the approval of the supplemental budget will be delayed after the City Council returned it to the Office of the Mayor because it lacks supporting documents.

Daluz and Poblete, however, assured the barangay officials who gathered at the City Hall yesterday that they will get back their usual fuel allocation once the City Council approves the supplemental budget.

Councilor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña, chairperson of the committee on budget, said the city is short of fuel budget because the executive department bought new vehicles.

The city recently purchased and distributed 24 brand new vehicles to the barangay captains.

But Daluz explained that the new vehicles given to the barangay captains do not have fuel allocations from the city.

Osmeña added some City Hall vehicles are used for personal purpose.

She said she went to a beauty parlor yesterday afternoon and when she went out of the establishment, a City Hall vehicle with a lady inside arrived but did not get out of the car.

“Wala manaug ang nagsakay nga babaye kay nakakita man nga diha ko,” she said.   - THE FREEMAN