Rama stops disposal of 7-year-old city vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama has ordered the inspection and evaluation of all the 179 city government-owned vehicles that are earlier set for disposal following the seven-year life span.

Rama asked the City General Services Office (GSO) and acting City Administrator, Dr. Lucelle Mercado, to look into the status of the said service vehicles.

“I will make a directive not to pursue it in haste. I want it intellectually, intelligently, deliberately and meticulously look into,”  Rama said.

Rama asked the said offices to coordinate with the city’s mechanical and electrical engineers.

“Di man ko motoo nga ang mga sakyanan di na magamit o guba na,” he added.

The City Council passed last Wednesday the resolution authored by Councilor Roberto Cabarrubias disposing the city’s vehicles that are seven years and above to lessen the maintenance expenses of the city government.

Cabarrubias said that these vehicles are dilapidated, are in poor running condition, unserviceable and/or beyond repair.

“If there are still vehicles that are very much usable, tan-awon nga if unserviceable ba gyod. Sakto man na, if you secure a brand new one, less maintenance,”  Rama said.

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

Some councilors expressed doubt that if the vehicles are disposed, it may hamper the services of the city to its constituents in all barangays.

The Council asked the GSO to submit proper recommendation on how to go about the disposal process and the need to upgrade the city’s vehicles.— /GMR (FREEMAN)