Gov. Hilario Davide III, together with Vice Governor Agnes Magpale and some Provincial Board members, inspects the eight new Suroy-Suroy buses at the Capitol. (CDN PHOTO/JUNJIE MENDOZA)
The Cebu Provincial government yesterday turned over eight brand new coasters to the local government units (LGUs).
Although similar to the Suroy-Suroy Sugbo buses previously given to some LGUs, yesterday’s batch of coasters looked different. It is plain white, bears the name of the LGU in front and the Capitol’s slogan “Kalambuan sa Matag Sugbuanon” and the provincial seal on the side.
Those who received the new buses were the municipalities of Tuburan, Samboan, Badian, Catmon, Sogod, Consolacion, Compostela and Bogo City.
“We just hope that you will take good care of these buses. I know this will serve (you and your constituents),” said Vice Governor Agnes Magpale in a speech during yesterday’s turnover ceremony.
For his part, Gov. Hilario Davide III said the remaining 17 LGUs in the province which still don’t have coasters will have to wait a little longer. He promised to provide the remaining LGUs within his second term.
Aside from the eight LGUs, 27 others had already received their Suroy-Suroy buses from the province, bringing the total number of recipients to 35 LGUs.
“We will do our best in the province, with the help of the Provincial Board (PB) that the 17 LGUs will also be given within our next three years in the Capitol. Thank you, and I hope this can help and be beneficial to our brothers and sisters in the towns,” Davide told the officials from the different beneficiary towns yesterday.
According to Provincial General Services Office (PGSO) head Jone Sepe, each of the buses costs P2.85 million.
Sepe explained that the new buses were almost the same as the previous ones. He said the new one has a capacity of 34 passengers, while the older one only has 33 seats. The new one is also a bit more spacious and bigger than the older ones.
Sepe said the new coasters can be used to “promote tourism and for public services.”
The eight coasters were part of the batch of 10 vehicles purchased by the province through bidding. The other two coasters were assigned each to the governor’s office and the vice governor’s office.
Magpale explained that previously, the provincial government would just borrow Suroy-Suroy buses from the LGUs when needed.
On behalf of the recipients, Consolacion Mayor Teresa Alegado thanked the provincial government for the new vehicles.
“When the buses were distributed before, we were jealous. But now we have our own. This is an indication that the administration of Gov. Davide and Vice Gov. Magpale is true to their promise,” she said.
The turnover ceremony was also attended by the mayors and vice mayors of the beneficiary LGUs and some Provincial Board members.