Only 32 brgys return city vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - Only 32 of Cebu City’s 80 barangays heeded acting mayor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña’s order for barangay officials to return the city-issued vehicles to City Hall’s General Services Office.

GSO Assistant Department Head Ronaldo Malacora yesterday said all city department officials immediately responded and returned their vehicles. Some, he said, even got theirs back already after it was established that the vehicles were necessary for their tasks.

“Ang sa tanang departamento sa City Hall nakauli na sa ilahang units. In fact naa na tay ubang department nga nabalik ang ilahang mga vehicles, labi na ‘tong mga kinahanglan kaayo.  Labi na tung sa parks, city health, naa nay for approval ngadto sa opisina sa mayor,” he said.

The same, however, cannot be said of the barangay officials.

“As of last (Monday) night, naa na tay 32 barangays nga nakauli… so mao na siyay pinakabag-o,” Malacora said.

He clarified, though, that not all city-issued vehicles were being used by barangay captains, as there were those that were instead issued to barangay councilors.

Last May 17, Osmeña signed a memorandum that ordered all department heads, employees and barangay captains to return all city-owned vehicles for inventory purposes.

In an interview yesterday, Osmeña said she had always asked the barangays to return the vehicles.

“I’m very kulit na, just return the vehicles,” she said.

Yesterday was the deadline for return of the vehicles to the GSO.

When asked about possible sanctions against those who continue to ignore her order, Osmeña said she will “check it with the lawyers”.

Meanwhile, Malacora said that Barangay Binaliw wanted to cooperate but requested that the City Hall be the one to get the vehicle.

“Sa Barangay Binaliw nag-request sila nga kitay mo pull out, so nakuha na tong ubang units nila didto unya naay usa lang nga balikon to karon kay dili moandar so dad-an og mekaniko,” he said.

He had assigned some personnel to pull out the vehicles. He said he was also ready to submit a report after the inventory process.

He further said that he can give the list of barangays that have not returned their vehicles yet to the acting mayor.

“Ongoing man nang amo inventory so after mahuman na siya, naa na tay gi-prepare daan nga lista kung kinsa ang naka-submit,” Malacora said.

The returned vehicles are currently at the Sugbo Grounds at the South Road Properties.

“Actually, pag-issue gyud ana ato gipabutangan ug guwardiya aside sa regular guards nga na-assign diha sa Sugbo (Grounds) kay naa man sad nay specific function, nagbutang guyd ta’g guwardiya diha ang purpose lang gyud nila is to safeguard sa mga sakyanan,” Malacora added.

As of yesterday, GSO tallied 238 vehicles and 85 motorcycles.

On the other hand, Osmeña said she has not received any communication from Tisa barangay Captain Philip Zafra, Association of Barangay Councils president, who reportedly said that the inventory is paralyzing their services to the public.

“He doesn’t have to write, he can come, di ba? It’s easier and faster and you know, we have known each other because we are classmates in the council,” Osmeña said. —/RHM (FREEMAN)