City execs explain use of vehicles

CEBU, Philippines — What were vehicles of the Cebu City Government doing in Carmen town on a Sunday?

This was the question of Barangay Apas Captain Ramil Ayuman and opposition supporter Ernest Herrera as they posted photos of the vehicles on Facebook.

“What is this gov't van doing at Cebu Safari (and Adventure Park in Carmen)? Official trip? From what agency?” read Herrera’s post.

Ayuman, however, took his post down yesterday.

Ronald Malacora, head of the city’s General Services Office, said the high-ace van with plate number SKN 781 was issued to Cebu City Councilor Alvin Arcilla while the L300 with plate number SKZ 910 was issued to Cambinocot Barangay Captain Rey Lauron.

Malacora said vehicles issued to city officials like Arcilla is for use 24/7 since there is no time in and time out of their service.

“Ang sa Cambinocot, nag-wonder lang ko kay ang purpose anang sakyanana maong wala na naapil sa recall atong una kay patrol vehicle na sa tanod. Nganong naabot man didto sa Carmen?” Malacora said.

Reason

Arcilla and Lauron admitted that the vehicles were used over the weekend to go to separate destinations in Carmen.

Arcilla said he visited Cebu Safari and Adventure Park last Saturday to check on how the mountain area was developed since there’s an ongoing amendment of the city’s Comprehensive Land Use Plan and the zoning ordinance.

“Dili raman ang Safari among bisitahon. Karong Thursday ug Friday, adto mi sa Taguig ug Quezon City para tan-awn gi unsa nila ang paspas nga development sa area. Didto man pod silang Mike Rama, kita ko nila,” he said, adding, that he had trip ticket when he used the vehicle.

Arcilla said opposition officials and supporters should have been more careful because their insinuations have put his family in bad light.

“Makigpusta ko nila kon moingon sila naa akong pamilya,” he said, adding, that he even had to use his personal money for gasoline.

In a separate interview, Lauron said a group of senior citizens and some catechists asked his permission to use the vehicle for pilgrimage.

The vehicle was sighted at Our Lady of Manaoag Rosary Center - St. Benedict's Monastery in Carmen, Cebu.

“Wala ko kahibaw anang safari. Ang pananghid sa mga senior citizens nga mag-pilgrim sila didto kauban sa catechists maong akong gipagamit kay wala miy laing sakyanan,” he said. (FREEMAN)