Donor won’t recall life saving equipment from city just yet

CEBU, Philippines- The donor of the life saving equipment donated to the Cebu City government has agreed to give the city two months to process the freight and shipping fees for the equipment.

Oliver Lagare, president of Am-Phil Equipment and Logistic, said earlier he might as well donate the equipment to another local government unit after the Cebu City Council decided not to pay for the fees amounting to P2.6 million. He donated the equipment a year ago.

Yesterday, Lagare met with Councilor David Tumulak to inform the latter he is willing to wait for two more months.

“I will not give up because this is very advantageous sa city government in case of flooding,” Tumulak said.

He said the equipment Lagare has donated – the two used ambulances, 10 brand new inflatable boats, three fiberglass speed boats, and two Jet Skis – would cost the city P15 million if bought straight from the market.

He said he will sponsor another resolution to facilitate payment of the fees and will support the same with documents the council has asked earlier, including the official receipts of the fees, Deed of Acceptance and Deed of Donation.

“Other option kun dili gyod gihapon nila dawaton atong lain nga resolution, we will look for a foundation or a private institution nga dunay kaluoy sa city nga maoy mo-shoulder sa freight and handling kay naa naman ni nato and we know nga kining mga equipment useful gyud,” Tumulak said.

Lagare, for his part, said, “I don’t want to defeat the purpose that we are here to look back to our country to give all these equipment in case of calamity, it will lesser the impact because of the calamity. I want to hear the side of the city government and not outright nga atong i-pull out ang equipment,” he said

He said many local government units have expressed interest to have the equipment. He was in Mindanao last week also to turn over live saving equipment to two LGUs.

He said he understands the situation because he understands how bureaucracy works.

“Wala ma-dismay kay mag-wait lang gyud ko sa ilang decision,” he said.

He pointed out, however, that the council should have raised the concern as regards the documents it wanted during an executive session to which he was invited.

“I already appeared in the executive session, but this issue was not raised. Maybe it was already resolved kun na-raise na siya,” he said.

“Maybe the Council think nga I am charging only the ocean freight, but there are other expenses especially the brokerage fee in the US, processing fee, travelling expenses, loading expenses. I’m willing to comply with all these pieces of documents, but I didn’t receive any request nga needed siya,” he added.  (FREEMAN)