Capitol to spend GWEN fund

CEBU, Philippines - The Capitol will pursue spending the P28.5 million appropriated by former governor and now third district Rep. Gwendolyn Garcia last year for the Government on Wheels for Emergency Needs (GWEN) program under the current budget.

The Provincial Board has granted the authority for the use of the GWEN Program under the Local Development Fund item of the 2013 budget to purchase multi-cabs.

Garcia proposed P38 million for GWEN but the PB slashed it to P28.5 million when it approved the 2013 budget while the governor was suspended for six months.

PB Member Peter John Calderon sponsored the resolution granting the authority for the use of said funds to purchase multicabs to be distributed to different local government units and offices.

Calderon said that most LGUs have limited resources as far as mobility is concerned.

“The Provincial Government of Cebu decided that mobility should be given financial assistance with priority to emergency cases only like those that rendered human lives or properties under threat or when public safety is at stake,” read the resolution.

The recipients are identified as barangays Camp 4, Talisay City; Calajoan, Minglanilla; Poblacion, Sayaw, and Candaguit in Sibonga; Tigbao, Badian; Guadalupe, Alegria; Sto. Niño, Malabuyoc; Tan-awan, Oslob; Nug-as, Alcoy; Langtad, Argao; Katolohan, Malones, Obo, Tabon, Nalhub and Manlapay in Dalaguete.

Mantalongon, Mayana, Malolos, Guibuangan, and Bagacay in Barili; Angelan, Kawasan, Kantobogon and Esperanza in Aloguinsan; Mangoto, Pinamungajan, Putingbato, Toledo City; Biasong, Balamban, Poblacion 3 and Alegria in Tuburan; Mantija, Licos, Togonon, and Cambanay in Danao City; Casili and Occidental in Consolacion; and Lataban, Liloan.

The municipalities of Dumanjug, Malabuyoc, Aloguinsan, Asturias and Bantayan; and the Liga ng mga Barangay in Toledo City will also get multicab.

Other offices to be given multicabs are the offices of PB Members Jude Thaddeus Sybico, Miguel Antonio Magpale, and Carmen Remedios Meca; the Provincial Veterinarian, Civil Security Unit, and the Motorpool. — (FREEMAN)