No extension for return of government-issued vehicles

A City Hall employee (below) checks on some of the vehicles parked in front of the Sugbu building at the South Road Properties (SRP) after Acting Cebu City Mayor Margot Osmeña ordered the recall of all city-owned service vehicle for an inventory. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)

ACTING Cebu City Mayor Margarita “Margot” Osmeña is not extending the deadline for the turnover of government-issued vehicles and motorcycles even as more than half of Cebu City’s 80 barangays have defied her order.

Apas Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman said he and other barangay captains submitted at 4 p.m. yesterday a letter asking for reconsideration. Ayuman said returning their vehicles to the city would hamper their services.

Osmeña, however, refused to budge. She said she has not received the letter.

“One week is enough. That’s fair,” Osmeña said, reiterating that the city government owns the vehicles.

“Just return the vehicles. I am very kulit na, just return the vehicles,” Osmeña added.

Ronald Malacora, assistant head of General Services Office (GSO), said only 34 barangays have turned over their vehicles as of yesterday.

These barangays were Bonbon, Binaliw, Bulacao, San Nicolas Proper, Cogon Pardo, Sirao, Lusaran, Malubog, Day-as, Duljo Fatima, Taptap, Quiot Pardo, Sawang Calero, Banilad, Kasambagan, Pasil, San Roque, Talamban, Hipodromo, Bacayan, Guadalupe, Mabini, Paril, Pahina San Nicolas, Buhisan, Mabolo, Pit-os, Zapatera, Kalunasan, Suba, Parian, Adlaon, Tabunan, and San Jose.

Osmeña said she was going to consult the city lawyers on what charges would be filed against those who have refused to turn over their vehicles.

The May 17 memorandum directing all officials and employees to return all government-issued vehicles to facilitate an inventory was among Osmeña’s first acts when she assumed as mayor following the suspension of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama.

Only police vehicles, patrol cars, ambulances, garbage trucks, traffic vehicles, fire trucks, and vehicles used by emergency units are excluded from the said order.

Malacora said a total of 211 vehicles and 81 motorcycles have been turned over. These are all parked at the South Road Properties (SRP) grounds.

Some, however, were returned to some departments like Cebu City Parks and Playgrounds because of the urgent need.

Malacora said they were expecting around 550 vehicles.