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V-guv defends P10.8M to
buy brand new cars
By
KIT BAGAIPO
 | | Justifying
the purchase of 13 new Isuzu Crosswinds for all members of the provincial board,
Vice Gov. Julius Caesar Herrera said the vehicles are "a necessity rather
than a luxury" to the lawmakers.
Speaking
during the weekly "The Governor Reports" on Friday, Herrera reacted
to public statements regarding the diversion of fund savings amounting P10.8 million
from unfilled positions in provincial government offices. |
The
statement of Herrera came amid mounting criticisms on the budgetary outlay of
P10.8 million which came in the midst of an economic crisis. Well meaning taxpayers
who aired their comments on the move through the airlanes said that the budget
could have been more useful if spent on other basic concerns amidst the rice crisis
and the poor delivery of health services in the province.
The
provincial board unanimously approved during its regular session last Tuesday
the purchase of 13 new cars.
| | |
The vice governor
pointed out that since 2005, he has been asking that new vehicles be acquired
for the board members due to high maintenance and repair costs incurred by the
old and dilapidated vehicles being used by lawmakers.
The
old vehicles range from Mitsubishi Adventures that were purchased during the time
of former Gov. Rene Relampagos and older models of Mitsubishi Pajeros.
In
approving the acquisition of new vehicles, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan is submitting
the fund realignment for review and authorization of the Department of Budget
and Management, Herrera added. | "The
vehicles are necessary for the board members to effectively and efficiently attend
to their constituents' concerns," the vice governor stressed.
He
said, during the past years that he has been serving as vice governor, his vehicle
frequently bogs down.
What
is important, Herrera explained, is that the vehicles are used by board members
to advance the development and the needs of their constituents. | 
