The provincial government has not yet paid for the new vehicles purchased for 11 Negros Occidental board members because paper work  on them is still being processed, Provincial Budget Officer Jose Percival Salado Jr. said yesterday.

Salado said the board members had been provided a P1.5 million discretionary fund each and given the choice on what vehicle to buy, or to use the amount for projects in their districts.

The amount is on top of the Special Allocation Fund granted to board members, also for projects in their district, he said.

Purchased were two Ford Ranger Trekker 4x4s worth P1,209,456 each for Board Members Nehemias dela Cruz Sr. and Renato Gustilo of the first district, and  six Ford Everest vehicles at P1,186,485 each for Board Members Mae Javellana and Janet Torres of the fourth district, Adolfo Mangao Sr. and Macario Zafra Jr. of the sixth district, George Gitano – Association of Barangay Captains Federation president, and Raul Rivera – Provincial Councilors League-Negros Occidental chapter president.

Board Member Melvin Ibañez of the fifth district opted to buy a P1,150,000 Nissan Navara pickup, while Board Member Manuel Frederick Ko of the third district went for a P500,000 secondhand Mitsubishi Strada.

Board Member Edgardo Acuña also ordered a Ford Everest and Board Member Miller Serondo has not decided on what to purchase, Salado said.

Aside from the vehicles, Javellana, Torres and Gitano used the remaining amount from their discretionary funds for the purchase of other items.

Torres used the rest of her funds for ink cartridges – P9,000, sports materials – P20,930, trophies – P27,000, tarpaulins – P57,200, jetmatic pumps – P63,000, 100 bags of cement – P22,000, and plastic chairs – P39,000.

Javellana also purchased 50 jetmatic pumps worth P125,000 and 46 tarpaulins – P114,080.

Gitano purchased sports materials – P39,125, and is using P100,000 for the concreting of a water system and P100,000 for road widening in Barangay Antipolo, Pontevedra.

Sangguniang Kabataan Federation representative Jebmari Bacaro, Board Member Patrick Lacson  and Vice Gov. Emilio Yulo III  did not purchase vehicles.*CPG

back to top