Maintenance issues prompt brgys to return multicabs

CEBU, Philippines - More than 20 multicabs have been returned to the Capitol because the barangays, where the vehicles were issued, could no longer afford its maintenance.

Provincial General Services Office chief Jone Sepe said it is part of the memorandum of agreement entered into by the provincial government and the barangay captains that the barangays will pay for the maintenance of the vehicles while the Ca-pitol will take charge of the renewal of the registration and insurance premium.

Sepe said they pulled out the multicabs from the different barangays of the pro-vince after the barangay captains expressed their intention to surrender the vehicles. The more than 20 units have been accumulated since January to July this year. 

Sepe, however, could not give the exact number and the names of the barangays that returned their multicabs.

 "Refurbished ang multicab naabtan na sa warranty niya ug sa kalisod sa ilang naagian na sad, moabot gyud sa panahon nga kinahanglan na ayuhon og kung naay mga major repair hangan na sila sa gasto," Sepe said.

Sepe said that the multicabs that were returned were distributed by the previous administration.

"Kay tungod owned pa man sa province, responsibilidad pa man na sa Province of Cebu to secure the property so kuhaon  namo ug dili  na magdagan. Kinahanglan mi og letter of request nga ipa pullout na kay di na nila magamit," he said.

Sepe explained that the barangays, especially those that are only relying on the Internal revenue Allotment for their income, could not afford to maintain the vehicles. He said the barangays could only afford to buy gasoline but not the major repairs.

The returned multicabs will be subjected to appraisal by a special committee to determine whether they can still be repaired or be declared unserviceable.

Meanwhile, Governor Hilario Davide III has announced that there will be at least 29 mini ambulances that are to be distributed to the different barangays soon.

 "Gusto man gud ta kung pwede apud-apuran gyud tanan baranagay kay kinahanglan man gyud og sakyanan," Davide said. (FREEMAN)