20 Cebu City Hall executives to get new cars

THE Cebu City Government acquired new vehicles for 20 of its department heads, a P27-million purchase that officials prepared for when they worked last year on the city’s budget, said Councilor Joey Daluz.

But Daluz said he will also recommend an auction of all vehicles in the City Government that were bought five years ago or earlier, as one way to bring down fuel consumption and maintenance costs.

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The General Services Office (GSO) has asked for P30 million to be included in Supplemental Budget (SB) 4 for fuel, oil and lubricants for the City Government’s 1,273 vehicles, from October to December.

Daluz found the amount too much and asked the GSO for an inventory of City Hall’s vehicles. He said the city might save some money if it disposes of vehicles five years old or older.

The councilor chairs the committee on budget and finance in the city council. He told the GSO to submit a report to his office and to Mayor Michael Rama within this month.

GSO started the inventory last week, following the councilor’s request. 

Meanwhile, the mayor personally distributed the new vehicles to the department heads and asked them to meet his expectations.

The mayor is using a new maroon Montero Sport these days, but he clarified it is only a service unit Mitsubishi lent him while the company repairs his vehicle.

He said he hopes the new vehicles will boost the department heads’ pride and confidence in performing their duties efficiently.

“They should be sensitive now that they are having that mobility, mo-enhance gyud ilang serbisyo (their services will be enhanced). Nganong dili man ta mag-expect ana (Why shouldn’t we expect that)?” Rama said.

Rama earlier asked the department heads for a list of activities they intend to execute in his first 10 days.

The activities were identified in focus group discussions.

Department heads who fail to deliver on their commitment will be questioned, he said.