NV gov okays P25-M budget for board’s new cars, gadgets

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya , Philippines   â€“ Despite a public outcry, Gov. Ruth Padilla went ahead and approved an ordinance for the purchase of brand new service vehicles and electronic gadgets for members of the provincial board.

Appropriation Ordinance No. 2013-245 calls for the allocation of P25.1 million for the purchase of new cars as well as tablets, mobile phones, laptops and other electronic gadgets for the 14-member board.

Padilla’s approval was followed by a Sept. 20 letter of Vice Gov. Epifanio Galima requesting the governor for her “favorable consideration” to have the amount included in the provincial government’s 2013 supplemental budget.

Vizcayanons, however, described the board’s move as extravagant and unacceptable, as they cited the province’s more pressing needs such as more medicine for local government-run hospitals and additional farm inputs for farmers. 

The approved ordinance covers the purchase of 13 new vehicles worth P19.5 million as well as communication and information technology equipment and furniture worth some P2 million.

The gadgets include 14 laptops with printers, 14 pocket Wi-Fi devices, 14 cell phones, 14 tablets, and 14 cameras.

Also part of the purchase are 15 swivel chairs, a microwave oven, a coffee maker, a hot and cold water dispenser, and curtains.

Of the proposed budget, P2.9 million was allocated for the salaries of casuals as well as for professional services for the provincial board.

But a resident here said that instead of these “luxurious things,” the provincial board should have given priority to the funding of more scholarships for indigent students, farm-to-market roads, medicine for rural health centers, and livelihood generation.

“(The ordinance’s) approval is proof of utmost disregard to the call of the people for better appropriation of taxpayers’ money. This is also the start of tyranny. If they can do this, what else can they do? This is the gift of the governor to her rubber-stamp legislators,” said US-based Ada Ang, who hails from Solano town.

“How dare these public servants demand for the people’s money spent for their wants? Do they need tablets to legislate laws for the province?” asked senior college student Hazel Buctayon of Diadi town.

“(These board members should be) last on the list. Gadgets and vehicles enhance your life as elected officials but medicine, food and jobs are vital to the people who put you where you are. Stop the greed,” said Wilhelmina Picart, daughter of former vice governor Alejandro Silapan.