IN A bid to continue improving the local government’s services to the people, Negros Occidental Governor Eugenio Jose Lacson, Murcia Mayor Gerry Rojas and the Office of Third District Representative Francisco “Kiko” Benitez have turned over six brand new multi-purpose vehicles to six barangays of the locality recently.
Rojas congratulated the chairmen of Barangays Canlandog, Sta. Rosa, Sta. Cruz, Caliban, Abu-Abo and Blumentritt for being the first batch to avail of the service vehicle upgrading program through counterparting scheme.
“We are fortunate that the provincial government headed by Governor Lacson and the Office of Congressman Benitez supported us in this program,” he said.
When they learned that the municipal government is embarking on counterparting as a means of procuring the vehicles, Lacson and Benitez readily agreed to help them, the mayor recalled.
The funds for the purchase of the six vehicles came from the provincial government and Benitez's office with counterpart funds from the Municipal Government of Murcia as well as the recipient barangays.
Rojas said the funds from the local government, provincial government and office of the congressman for the purchase of vehicles for the other 17 barangays are ready.
As soon as these barangays contribute their share, they can start availing it, he said.
“Take good care of these vehicles so that your constituents can make use of them for a long time,” Lacson said.
“Good maintenance is the key to ensuring that the vehicles will last for a long time. If possible, only one driver should be authorized to drive and maintain the vehicle, so that there will be a designated person who can take responsibility for its maintenance,” the governor stressed.
Liga ng Mga Barangay president and Councilor Jenny Jimenea thanked the three officials for supporting the barangays in their need for additional service vehicles.
“These service vehicles are a huge help in serving the transport needs of our constituents at all times. Rest assured that my fellow punong barangays will take good care of these vehicles so that they can serve their purpose for a long time,” she added. (PR)