‘It’s not midnight action, it’s streamlining’

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City Administrator, Atty. Jamaal James Calipayan, defended the current administration’s move tagged as a "midnight action" by the incoming administration involving the donation of 15 vehicles to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials, saying the City is merely streamlining the process.

Calipayan said the vehicles are already in the possession of the prospective donees, and what the city government is doing now is simply streamlining the process. He explained that if there is a need for repairs or any action to be taken, the recipients will no longer need to seek the city’s permission, as the vehicles are already under their care.

Calipayan assured that there is nothing to worry about, as long as the vehicles are not used or abused for private purposes.

“It will still fulfill its function as originally intended by the City nga mu serve sa constituency sa atoang gipagamit,” said Calipayan.

Calipayan said that, in the case of the SK, the vehicles will be used for youth activities, sports development, and other SK programs.

He clarified that since the SK officials already have the vehicles since last year, the City's current move is simply a way of formalizing the arrangement.

This issue arose after the transition team of Mayor-elect Thadeo Jovito ‘Jonkie’ Ouano raised concerns over what it described as a "midnight action" by the outgoing administration, referring to the proposed donation of vehicles to 15 SK chairpersons in Mandaue City.

Atty. Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on, who heads Ouano’s transition team, previously said that the outgoing administration is pushing the donation just weeks before the end of their term on June 30.

Malig-on pointed out that the SKs do not have designated drivers, and since the vehicles are not barangay-owned, the barangays cannot provide one.

Moreover, the youth leaders have no budget for fuel or maintenance.

However, Calipayan said that the SK themselves have been covering the fuel and maintenance expenses.

He explained that the drivers are job order workers paid by the City, but each SK may also designate their own personnel to maintain and operate the vehicles.

Calipayan added that the SK can hire personnel depending on the program—for instance, if someone is hired under the youth and development program, it is allowed.

On the other hand, Malig-on revealed that the 15 SK chairpersons who received the vehicles came from the barangays of Paknaan, Labogon, Looc, Maguikay, Casuntingan, Subangdaku, Basak, Casili, Banilad, Bakilid, Tingub, Cubacub, Cabancalan, Canduman, and Tawason. They are reportedly allied with the current administration.

However, Calipayan said that the 15 vehicles, which were purchased last year, were the only ones covered by the allocated budget, and that the move has nothing to do with politics.

Calipayan said that each vehicle costs approximately ?1.2 million.

“Siguro the incoming administration, pwede nila palitan ang uban nga SK nga wala napalite,” said Calipayan.

Calipayan added that there should be no conflict if they truly want fairness. He said that if the incoming administration have the budget, they can purchase vehicles for the other officials who were not given any.

“Nothing would stop them,” said Calipayan.

Malig-on, meanwhile, emphasized that several offices in City Hall are in greater need of service vehicles than the SK councils.

In response, Calipayan clarified that the 15 vehicles were specifically intended for the SK officials when they were originally planned for purchase.

Calipayan explained that the departments would submit project proposals every year, and if they need a motor vehicle as part of their program, they would include it in their proposal.

He said that for departments proposing to purchase vehicles, the request must be merit-based and properly justified.

Moreover, Calipayan said that donating the vehicles during the transition period is not prohibited by law.

“Whatever they call it, midnight or unsa ba na, walay balaod nga nagpugong,” said Calipayan.

Calipayan said that the current administration's actions were not driven by political motives but by the need for expediency.

He added that they observed the vehicles are better cared for by the recipients.

Calipayan expressed hope that the incoming administration would recognize the wisdom behind the decision and would continue the initiative.

The city administration noted that, unlike real property—which cannot be donated as it is considered an asset—motor vehicles are classified as liabilities.

He said that once the vehicles are used, their value depreciates and maintenance costs begin to arise.

“Hopefully makita pod ang wisdom ani sa atong bag-ong administration nga kung ingon ani diay pwede i-donate,” said Calipayan.

To recall, the proposal was added to the agenda of the Sangguniang Panlungsod’s session on Monday, May 26.

The agenda included a request from the Office of the City Mayor for authority to execute a deed of donation between the City of Mandaue and the respective SK officials for 15 units of 2024 Toyota Hilux vehicles.

As of this writing, the City Council has yet to reach a decision on the donation.

The matter is currently under review by the Committee on Laws, which is expected to release a recommendation soon. – JG (CEBU NEWS)