No politics in delay of release of garbage truck to Lorega

CEBU, Philippines - Department of Public Services (DPS) chief Dionisio Gualiza denied speculations that politics delayed the release of the mini garbage truck intended for Barangay Lorega-San Miguel.

Gualiza said that he cannot release the garbage truck because of incomplete supporting documents.

“Ang maayo nga ang mga opisyal sa Lorega-San Miguel motabang sila pagkuha sa mga dukomento aron ma-release na kanila ang garbage truck. Igo ra man kana gi-deposit sa amo ang garbage truck (It is better for them to help secure the documents needed for the release of the garbage truck. The garbage truck was just deposited to us for safekeeping),” Gualiza said.

Gualiza however did not elaborate what documents are need for the release. He admitted that while waiting for the release of the garbage truck to its intended recipient the DPS used it to collect garbage in other barangays whose own trucks are having problems.

Lorega-San Miguel officials suspect that politics is behind the delay in the release of the garbage truck to their barangay because its captain, Fritz Herrera, is allied with the Bando Osmeña Pundok-Kauswagan (BOPK).

BOPK founder and south district Rep. Tomas R. Osmeña is challenging the reelection bid of Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama in next year’s elections.

The mini garbage truck for Barangay Lorega-San Miguel was included in the Local Development Fund under the special accounts of the city for this year.

Rama assured that the garbage truck would be released soon to Lorega-San Miguel and ordered Gualiza to repaint the vehicle if it needed.

“Kun gigamit man gani na, atong pahugasan ug kun dili pa sila makontinto atong papintalan og usab aron bag-o g’yud sa ilang pagdawat (If that is being used we will have it washed and repaint it if necessary for it to look brand new when they receive it),” Rama said. —/FPL (FREEMAN)