AT LEAST 12 departments within the Mandaue City Government are in need of vehicles, according to the city’s transition team, as questions continue to swirl around the recent approval of an ordinance donating 15 vehicles to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons.
Incoming city administrator Sally Malig-on, who is leading the transition under Mayor-elect Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano, said several city offices are currently operating with damaged or no vehicles at all, severely affecting their mobility and operations.
“My point is, during the transition meeting, we were proven right that there are indeed many offices at Mandaue City Hall that need vehicles, and some even formally requested them. But why is the priority given to those who don’t really need them that much?” said Malig-on in Cebuano.
Although Malig-on has yet to disclose the names of the offices involved, he said most of them play a vital role in city operations.
The ordinance approving the donation of vehicles to the SK chairpersons — one for each of the 15 barangays out of the city’s 27 — was passed by the City Council on June 9, 2025.
While the ordinance formalized the deed of donation and legally transferred ownership of the vehicles, it did not pass without contention.
Members of the opposition, including Councilor Joel Seno, expressed concern over the timing and prioritization of the donation.
In a previous interview, Seno pointed out that at least five offices urgently need vehicles to enhance public service delivery. These include the City Accounting Office, City Public Market, City Agriculture Office, City Health Office and City Veterinary Office.
The vehicles, each reportedly worth P1.5 million and acquired by the City in 2024, were already turned over to the SK last November.
Who will be held accountable?
Malig-on said that even before the transition meetings began, he had raised the concern that it would have been better to keep the vehicles under City ownership instead of donating them to SK offices.
“We haven’t even heard from the departments yet, but we can already see the issue — why give them (the vehicles) when they’re clearly going to have a hard time maintaining them?” said Malig-on.
He questioned why the SK offices were prioritized by the outgoing administration, despite having fewer responsibilities compared to regular departments. He also raised concerns about their capacity to maintain the vehicles or even assign drivers.
He pointed out that assigning barangay drivers to SK vehicles may pose accountability issues since these drivers are not SK employees.
“And God forbid an accident happens, who will be held accountable?” he said.
With the ordinance approved on June 9, Malig-on said the incoming administration under Mayor-elect Ouano will review the matter. He noted that the decision to repeal or retain the ordinance ultimately rests with Ouano, who will assume office at noon Monday, June 30.
“It is the mayor who will make that call later on,” Malig-on said, adding that their team is already studying the legal and administrative implications of the donation.
Defending the donation, SK Federation President and ex-officio Councilor Gayle Jumao-as said the vehicles are critical to supporting youth-driven initiatives, particularly in remote barangays where mobility remains a challenge.
However, the incoming administration is calling for a comprehensive review of how government resources are being allocated. / CAV