GSO told: Probe use of city cars

CEBU, Philippines - Members of Cebu City Council want the General Services Office to investigate the use of city-owned vehicles issued to barangay officials.

Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia took the chance to request GSO head Ronald Malacora to submit a report on the October 29 incident in which a barangay official allegedly used the government vehicle for personal trip to Dalaguete.

“A vehicle of Barangay Pahina San Nicolas was spotted in Dalaguete. It was learned that the vehicle was formerly used by Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman and now being used by Pahina San Nicolas barangay councilor Luces (Inday Luces). We were surmising if there was an investigation,” he said.

Malacora said his office did not receive a complaint on the matter, saying the office has only limited resources in tracking and monitoring the vehicles issued to the barangays.

The city-issued vehicle seen in Dalaguete last month has 150 liters fuel allocation every month. He said his office will look into it and submit an investigation report to the City Council once completed.

“I have been reminding all of these employees because there are guidelines under Commission on Audit that one can be penalized if naay proof nga nag-abuse ang person who is given the city-issued vehicle. We rely on the person who is using it nga tarungon paggamit unta,” Malacora said.

Councilor Joel Garganera earlier asked for an inventory of the city-owned vehicles after these were recalled from the barangays upon Mayor Tomas Osmeña’s assumption to office.

Malacora said the city has finished the inventory. He said at least 10 minibuses are still undergoing repairs at the warehouse.

“The inventory is already done but the release is under the approval of the mayor. I was given order to seek approval of the mayor before releasing city vehicles,” he said.

Malacora admitted that only 14 out of the 80 barangay captains have been issued vehicles. All of them are allies of the Bando Osmeña Pundok Kauswagan (BOPK).

Malacora said some of the vehicles recalled from the barangays were issued to different offices of the city government. (FREEMAN)