Basak San Nicolas gives up old vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - Barangay Basak San Nicolas has turned over at least six vehicles that are at least seven years old to the city’s General Services Office for disposal.

The disposal of transportation equipment particularly motor vehicles that are serviceable only for seven years is in accordance with the Commission on Audit Circular No. 2003-007 dated December 11, 2003.

GSO head Engr. Dionisio Gualiza said that of the six vehicles, two are still in good condition and are now being used as rescue vehicles at the city’s motorpool at the South Road Properties.

The GSO takes charge of supply and property management, enforcement of policies for records creation, maintenance and disposal. 

“Kutob sa magamit, ato siyang tiwason kay di lalim ang mag-acquire og bag-ong sakyanan. Except kadtong beyond repair and obsolete subject for disposal na gyud (As long as they can still be used, we will use them because it’s not easy to acquire new vehicles),” said GSO equipment repair and maintenance management head Rene Plarisan.

Plarisan explained that the government will no longer shoulder the cost of repair for a vehicle if the total cost is equivalent to 50 percent of the vehicle’s purchase price.

“More than that, di na gyud i-repair (If it’s more than that, we will no longer have it repaired),” he said.

Vehicles that will be found to be “beyond economic repair” will be sold per kilogram upon the confirmation of COA.

Based on records of  the property management division-registration/ insurance section, there are at least 179 service vehicles that have a life span of seven years and above as of this year’s first quarter.

The city government owns 1,271 vehicles. The 80 barangays own at least 309 vehicles.

Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias has authored a measure urging for the disposal of government vehicles seven years and above to lessen costs to the city government for repair and maintenance.

He said the 179 vehicles are already “dilapidated, in poor running condition, unserviceable and/or beyond repair.” — (FREEMAN)