CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama yesterday gave out vehicles to Councilmen of barangays whose captains are not his allies.
But he clarified that the utilization of the vehicles is still for the barangay and not exclusive to the councilor to whom he entrusted the vehicles.
Yesterday’s batch of vehicles was given to Barangays Budlaan, Quiot, Cogon Pardo, Labangon, Pahina San Nicolas, Talamban, Poblacion Pardo, Kasambagan, Toong and Tinago.
Of the 10 barangays, only Captain Domingo Lopez of Tinago and Captain Nerissa Antolihao of Budlaan were village chiefs.
The other vehicles were entrusted to Councilmen Paul Sabarre of Quiot, Orvilla Bacalso of Cogon Pardo, Rodolfo Tabasa of Labangon, John Paul Go of Pahina San Nicolas, Ronald Caminade of Talamban, Altea Lim of Poblacion Pardo, George Chang of Kasambagan and Eugen Tabas of Toong.
Lim is part of the line-up of Team Rama for the coming elections.
Rama said that the distribution of the vehicles to the said eight barangays was coursed through the councilmen because he has high trust and confidence with them. This does not, however, give them exclusive right on the use of the vehicles.
“Di ko mabalaka ana kay kung dili sila magpagamit anang sakyanan sa uban, sila man sad ang mapildi (I am not worried about it because if they will not allow others to use it they will be held answerable),” Rama said.
The vehicles are part of the P100 million budget appropriated this year.
The 10 vehicles distributed yesterday amount to a total of P9.96 million. Specifically, each of the five Toyota Hilux costs P1 million, one Toyota Innova cost P1 million, two Mitsubishi Fuzion cost P1 million each and the sole Mitsubishi Strada also cost P1 million.
The vehicles were turned over to the barangay officials complete with Land Transportation Office (LTO) registration and Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) Insurance.
The city government has so far distributed 51 vehicles including the 10 yesterday. The rest of the 80 barangays will receive their vehicles as soon as delivered by the supplier. (FREEMAN)