Gwen to get new P3-M SUV

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

CEBU Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will buy a new service vehicle for P3 million.

She told a press conference yesterday that she will use the funds allotted for a new vehicle for her in 2004 yet, to buy a new Nissan Patrol.

Have something to report? Tell us in text, photos or videos.

The sports utility vehicle is an upgraded version of the one that was handed down to her by her father, former governor Pablo Garcia.

Since she began serving her first term in 2004, Governor Garcia has been using the white Nissan Patrol that the Capitol bought for her father in 2002.

The governor said the vehicle is often in the shop for repairs.

She added that the new vehicle was set for test-drive yesterday afternoon.

Provincial Budget Officer Emmie Gingoyon said there was a P3.7-million appropriation for a new service vehicle for Governor Garcia in 2004.

The funds were left unused until now. The amount was not reverted to the general fund because the budget for the governor’s vehicle was a continuing appropriation.

Provincial Treasurer Roy Salubre said Capitol paid around P1.8 million for the older Garcia’s vehicle in 2002.

Governor Garcia said she needs a reliable service vehicle, particularly for her visits to remote and mountainous areas in the province.

Since her term will end in 2013, she said, she wants to spend more time visiting towns.

Meanwhile, the governor confirmed yesterday that her political options when her term ends was one of the matters discussed during the meeting she hosted with six congressmen in the province.

Although nothing is final, she said, they have reached an “understanding for a consensus.”

She also said One Cebu’s alliance with Alayon, a local party of Rep. Eduardo Gullas (Cebu, first district) and the Bakud party of the Duranos has been tried and tested.

“With the alliance, certainly, it’s a formidable force to reckon with,” she told reporters.

She said she has the support of all congressmen if she decides to run for senator.

But, she added, she still has to study her chances in pursuing the national post.

The governor said her other options are to run for a congressional seat or return to private life.