ABC: Set guidelines for use of gov't vehicles

CEBU, Philippines - Association of Barangay Councils President Michael Ralota said that specific guidelines on the use of barangay vehicles must be laid down to avoid confusion among barangay officials as to what can or cannot be considered an official trip.

He said it is not fair for some barangays to lose their fuel subsidy from the city government just because other barangays misused government resources.

Ralota said that the fuel subsidy from the city government has been very helpful because they were able to divert the supposed budget for fuel to other services for their constituents.

“Using the vehicles for team building or gathering of senior citizens, for me, those are official trips. There should really be a rule that will guide the barangays,” Ralota said.

He said he will meet with different offices such as the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the Commission on Audit, the City Council and other concerned authorities to draft the guidelines.

Ralota said there is no ordinance in the council yet setting guidelines on the use of barangay vehicles that are subsidized by the city government. There is, however, a memorandum from the mayor prohibiting barangays to use the vehicles outside Metro Cebu.

Ralota said that another problem with barangay vehicles is the maintenance. There are a number of barangay vehicles that need repair but have been on standby for a long time now because there are no available spare parts.

Ralota said that some barangays are discouraged to bring their vehicles to the city’s motor pool because it takes many months before their vehicles are repaired. Apparently, some spare parts are not readily available due to lack of budget.

The ABC is pushing for its own motor pool exclusive for barangay vehicles but this would need funds.

He said also that most barangay vehicles are not insured and encouraged barangays to register their vehicle for insurance to recover the possible losses in case of accidents.

Meanwhile, the Cebu City government may just ignore the recommendation of the Commission on Audit to stop giving fuel to barangay vehicles pending the completion of its review into the city’s policy of providing fuel to the barangays.

City Administrator Jose Marie Poblete explained that he is afraid that once the city will stop granting fuel to the barangay vehicles the barangays’ services to its constituents will be affected.

Mayor Michael Rama, who is scheduled to arrive today from a five-day trip to China, said he will discuss the matter with Poblete.

After COA found out that there are several barangays in Cebu City using their vehicles for “unofficial use” like in going to the beach, malls, parties, religious places and others, COA recommended that the city review its policy of providing fuel to the barangays.

The city is providing 300 liters of gasoline or diesel to urban barangays and 400 liters to upland barangays per month.

“There has to be a policy or guidelines as to when barangay vehicles can be used by persons or entities, including the charging of fees that will cover the cost of fuel and reasonable wear and tear of the vehicles,” the state auditors said.

Some barangays even enacted their own ordinance allowing the charging and collection of fees for the rent of their vehicles.

COA said unless the use by barangays of their vehicles is properly controlled and regulated, the city has to stop allocating fuel to barangay vehicles, except for dumptrucks that collect garbage. — (FREEMAN)