CITY OF SAN FERNANDO -- The Provincial Government led by Governor Lilia Pineda on Wednesday turned over some 14 brand new barangay patrol vehicles to village chiefs of the Bacolor town, the last batch to complete the 505 patrol cars distributed this year.
The patrol cars were granted through an ordinance approved by the Sangguniang Panlalawigan headed by Vice-Governor Dennis Pineda authorizing the governor to allot funds for the 505 service vehicles distributed province-wide.
Pineda, during the ceremony at the Capitol grounds, reminded the barangay officials to maintain proper use of the vehicles to avoid untoward incidents. She also asked the barangay chiefs to subsidize the driver’s wages assigned in their barangays.
“There will be an association of authorized drivers wherein we would provide them I.D.’s and t-shirts. We will also provide Philhealth for them and help their families,” the governor said.
Pineda furthered that these patrol cars should only be driven by the authorized drivers assigned to each barangay.
Provincial Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council chief Angelina Blanco detailed the appropriate use of the service vehicles to the barangay chiefs, councilors and representatives of each barangay present during the distribution.
The said vehicles will be used for official meetings, general public service and social and humanitarian needs such as makeshift ambulance, rescue operations and peace and order.
The 14 barangay recipients include Balas, Cabalantian, Cabetican, Duat, Dolores, Maliwalu, Mesalipit, Potrero, San Antonio, San Isidro, San Vicente, Sta. Barbara, Talba and Tinajero.
Bacolor Vice Mayor Ananias “Jun” Canlas thanked the governor and the members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan for their support in providing the best services for the province.
These vehicles are accorded with a deed of donation that transmits full responsibility to the recipient barangay, the vehicle’s maintenance, gasoline expenses, insurance and the like.
Board members Rosve Henson and Anthony Joseph Torres together with Department of Labor and Emplyment Regional and Provincial Directors Ana Dione and Arlene Tolentino, Councilors Noli Caballa and Stickie Blanco witnessed the ceremony.
Pampanga is the only province who has acquired brand new uniform patrol service vehicles for each of its barangay across the country. (Maribel U. Singca/Pampanga PIO)