Far-flung Barangays Receive Multicabs

In the past, barangay officials of Okoy in Santa Fe town, Bantayan Island used borrowed vehicles for official trips since their old service vehicle has already been damaged.

Barangay chief Floro Batersal shared sometimes they couldn’t use one as they cannot borrow any.

Now, Barangay Okoy, along with 38 other barangays in Cebu Province, already has their own new service vehicles.

Cebu Acting Governor Agnes Magpale led the distribution of the 39 Suzuki multicabs worth Php 5 million to the recipient barangay officials with Provincial Board members Raul Alcoseba, Gigi Sanchez, and Miguel Magpale, Provincial Administrator Mark Tolentino, and Provincial General Services Office Chief Jone Sepe.

Recipient barangays are located in far-fetched areas in Toledo City, Asturias, Santa Fe, Barili, Carmen, San Fernando, Argao, Talisay City, Minglanilla, Tuburan, Madridejos, Badian, Moalboal, Dumanjug, Alegria, Alcantara, San Remigio, Tabogon, Pinamungajan, Compostela and Mandaue City.

Magpale said this distribution is a fulfillment of Governor Hilario P. Davide III’s promise at the onset of his administration’s term to truthfully serve the Cebuanos.

“Saad sa atong gobernador nga atimanon gyud ang mga barangay, ang kabahin sa panglawas, agrikultura ug uban pa (Our governor committed to address the barangay’s needs, especially in terms of health and agriculture, among others),” she shared recalling the results of Capitol’s stakeholders’ summit in 2013.

Magpale further added that she is not worried that the distribution will be seen by others as political campaigning for the 2016 Elections, with the start of election ban just around the corner.

“This project has long been approved. Months have passed since its budget was appropriated. It’s the bidding process that’s really taking time (for the vehicles to be released),” she pointed out.

Meanwhile, Batersal thanked the Governor, Vice Governor, and Provincial Board members for the new service vehicle for their barangay.

“We now have a service vehicle for our official trips as well as other transport needs in our barangay. The people really needed this,” he expressed in Cebuano.

www.cebu.gov.ph