Council refuses to pay fees for donated items

CEBU, Philippines - It looks like P15 million worth of life-saving equipment given by a well-meaning Cebuano in the US would continue to gather dust over a year after they were donated.

This after Cebu City Council denied the other day the request for payment of P2.6 million in freight and shipping fees for the donation, which includes two used ambulances; 10 brand new inflatable boats; three  fiberglass speed boats, and two Jet Skis.

The equipment arrived on February 2014 but remain unused over a year later because of the non-payment of the fees.

During the City Council session last Wednesday, the Committee on Laws, Ordinances, Public Accountability, and Good Government said in a committee report that paying the freight and shipping of the equipment has “no factual and legal basis.”

“The Deed of Acceptance has not brought to forth for the perusal of the City Council. Thus, this committee is inclined to deny in granting the request for payment of $56,000 (P2.6 million),” read the committee’s report.

The committee, headed by Councilor Sisinio Andales, was also “wondering what are the contents of the Deed of Acceptance” as it was never presented.

Councilor David Tumulak, who authored the resolution requesting payment, said after the report was approved that he was “deeply saddened” because the equipment could be beneficial to the city, especially during floods and other calamities.

Asked why the Deed of Acceptance was not presented, he said the City Legal office advised him to secure first the City Council’s approval of the payment.

His resolution was introduced at the council on November 2013, the month when super typhoon devastated Cebu. On October 9, 2014, Am-Phil Equipment and Logistic President Oliver Lagare wrote expressing concern over the donation.

Am-Phil Equipment and Logistic is a US-based company engaged in the buy-and-sell of used and new equipment.

“I am concerned about all these units not being used for almost a year now and if you feel that the local government does not need all of these equipment just let me know,” Lagare said in his communication.

“We will offer this to other local government units or other entity,” he added, saying there are other places that are in dire need of such equipment.

With the recent decision, Tumulak said the city government will return the equipment as soon as possible.  (FREEMAN)