Mandaue SKF prexy wants more vehicles

CEBU, Philippines — Mandaue City SK Federation President and ex-officio Councilor Gayle Jumao-as has expressed hope that the incoming administration will allocate funds to provide vehicles for other Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials who were not included in the recent distribution.

This follows the City Council's approval of an ordinance authorizing the Office of the Mayor to formalize deeds of donation for 15 vehicles granted to selected SK chairpersons—a move that has stirred controversy with the incoming administration.

Mayor-elect Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano’s transition team, led by Atty. Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on, questioned the timing of the approval, describing it as a “midnight action.”

Jumao-as, however, defended the move, saying the city only acted on the matter now because it was previously delayed by the election ban.

In fact, the last barangay to receive a vehicle was her own, Barangay Paknaan, which only got its unit in December.

She explained that by January, requirements and documents were still incomplete, and the deed of donation could not be processed due to the election-related restrictions.

“Naturally, diri mi mulihok sa after election,” Jumao-as said in an interview.

She denied allegations that the move was politically motivated, saying it had nothing to do with the incoming administration or any intent to hamper service delivery.

“We also have to respect the wishes of the present administration,” said Jumao-as.

Looking ahead, she expressed hope that Mayor-elect Ouano would be “kind enough” to allocate funds for the remaining barangays that have yet to receive their own vehicles.

“Nanginahanglan gyud ang mga SK ani, maybe our next mayor will be able to appropriate funds since naa naman tay bag-o nga budgeting year,” said Jumao-as.

“Hopefully unta, hangyo mi ni Mayor Jonkie ana,” she added.

Jumao-as stressed the importance of the vehicles for SK activities, many of which span over a month. She cited the “Panagtagbo sa Mandaue,” which required over two months of preparation, with daily practices and the need to transport people and equipment.

She also mentioned the recent Mayor’s Cup, another two-month event with daily practices and games.

“Kini nga mga sakyanan gamit gyud kaayo ni namo,” she said.

On a personal note, Jumao-as said the issue is also sentimental. During the Panagtagbo Festival last month, Barangay Paknaan had only one vehicle, which had to make multiple trips between the venue and the barangay.

She said one vehicle is not enough, especially considering the number of youth in the city.

“Unsaon man nato ang atoang nga youth pag-engage sa atoang mga activities if transportation services dili ta ka provide nila,” she said.

She added that most of the youth are still students, and it is unfortunate that they often have to spend their own money on transportation.

“Gamit gyud kaayo ni namo, very thankful to the administration for providing this to us,” she said.

While the ordinance passed with majority approval, three councilors opposed it, including Councilor Joel Seno, who questioned the timing of the donation.

“The timing is very suspicious, why is it donated only now,” Seno said in a separate interview.

He noted that the vehicles had already been in use by the SK for several months, which he said violates a Department of Budget and Management (DBM) circular. According to him, SK officials should not have been assigned vehicles in the first place since they are entitled to a transportation allowance.

“So with that, the services of the SK will never be disrupted, even without those vehicles because they will be subject, all expenses will be subjected to reimbursement in accordance with the DBM circular,” said Seno.

He further claimed that granting the mayor authority to donate the vehicles violates the ordinance they passed months ago and other existing rules.

“The ordinance says the vehicles amounting to 17 million is for the use of the SK and other offices,” said Seno.

He stressed that the vehicles were not meant exclusively for the SK’s use and that other offices are also entitled to use them.

“Now, how can they use the properties while the ownership is already abdicated by the city to the SK and the use of other offices is subjected to the discretion of the SK already?” he pointed out.

“So that is already a violation of the ordinance and other established rules and regulations,” Seno added.

Asked whether the ordinance may be revoked, Seno said that will be up to the incoming mayor once he assumes office on July 1.

“We will see the parameters because there might be, insofar as I am concerned, there is a violation of the ordinance, so it might be subjected to another action by the incoming mayor,” he said.

He noted that at least five city offices are in need of vehicles to improve public service delivery: City Accounting, City Public Market, City Agriculture, City Health, and City Veterinary.

Seno argued that these offices should be prioritized, especially since a lack of vehicles does not hinder SK operations due to their entitlement to transportation reimbursement.

“That is very clear under the DBM circular,” he said.

In her defense, Jumao-as told the City Council that the SK continues to share the vehicles with other offices. She cited the May 12 elections as an example, when the City Treasurer’s Office requested assistance in transporting election paraphernalia and personnel. (CEBU NEWS)