Equipment must be retrieved for the city’s sake – Tumulak

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak said he will find ways to retrieve the P15 million worth of life saving equipment a Cebuano in the United States has donated to the city.

This after the City Council denied his request for the city to pay for the P2.6 million in freight and shipping fees for the equipment.

They were donated by Oliver Lagare, President of Am-Phil Equipment and Logistic.

“Ni-communicate siya (Lagare) and nangayo ko og extension with the intervention of the Mayor to talk with other city councilors. Nangayo ta og extension para mahatagan ko’g time nga mo-negotiate og balik sa other councilors,” Tumulak said.

He said he is considering of reaching out to the private sector for a possible public-private partnership (PPP).

Lagare had donated two used ambulances; 10 brand new inflatable boats; three fiberglass speed boats, and two Jet Skis to the city government.

“I am concerned about all these units not being used for almost a year now and if you feel that the local government does not need all of these equipment just let me know,” Tumulak quoted Lagare as saying.

Tumulak said he does not want to waste the equipment because these would be a great help to the city in times of calamities like floods.

The City Council’s Committee on Laws, Ordinances, Public Accountability, and Good Government headed by Councilor Sisinio Andales said paying for the freight and shipping of the equipment has “no factual and legal basis.”

The committee noted that there was no Deed of Acceptance attached.

Tumulak said he has collated all the documents and considers passing another resolution to obtain the equipment.

“Hopefully, next time, dili na sagolan og politika. Regardless of political color, let us set aside those issues kay we councilors know kon unsa may discrepancies, pwede mana ma-estoryaan nato, which sila pod makatabang,” he said.

“Motabang sila kay they know already nga makaayo sa mga tao. But bisan pa moingon og walay politika, kita nga nakahibaw, naa gyod politika ato,” he added.

The equipment arrived over a year ago in February 2014 but remained unclaimed because of the freight and shipping fees that need to be paid.  — (FREEMAN)