PB members to also have new rides soon: Davide, Magpale get new vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III and Vice Governor Agnes Magpale are each getting a new vehicle from the Capitol.

Two Isuzu SUV models, one color brown intended for Davide and the other one white for Magpale, are now at the Capitol ready for turnover to them.

Jone Seigfred Sepe, chief of the Provincial General Services Office, said each vehicle costs P1.856 million, which was taken from the governor's fund in 2015. 

He said they conducted two biddings for the vehicles last year after experiencing difficulty in the procurement in the first bidding. 

"Nadaog na siya before sa election, but we decided to delay the awarding because of the election ban, so the two units are really intended for the governor and vice governor," Sepe told reporters yesterday.

He said they have decided to buy new vehicles for the officials since the Nissan Super Safari that the governor is currently using usually conks out while Magpale's vehicle is already damaged.

"Sa side ni  Gov, sige na siya ka-aberyahan mao na maglisod nay siya og saka sa bukid nga Safari,  'nya needed man g'yud nga dependable ang sakyanan ni Gov. Sa kang Vice Gov pud, practically personal na 'na iyang gigamit karon, kanang iyang van, kay naguba na ang iyang unit so wala na magamit ang atong executives," he explained.

The Capitol is also planning to purchase 16 more vehicles for all the incoming Provincial Board members.

Sepe said he had talked with Davide and with the budget officer regarding the matter, adding that they recommended buying double cab 4x4 pickups for all board members.

Sepe said the vehicles the board members are currently using were defective.

The current 14 PB members are using Toyota Hilux vehicles which, according to Sepe, are eight years old already.

Once the PB members get their new vehicles, the old ones that can still be used will be turned over to the department heads and other offices of the executive department.

"Ang mga karaan, atong plano kay ang ubang executive offices diri wala'y magamit mao'y atong ibutang diri sa executive department. Sa mga department head nga walay sakyanan, atong hatagan, and key programs nga kinahanglan og mobilization, ato silang tagaan," said Sepe. —(FREEMAN)