15 vehicles donated to SK heads questioned

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MANDAUE CITY — The incoming administration of Mayor-elect Thadeo "Jonkie" Ouano raised concerns over the outgoing city government's plan to formalize the donation of vehicles to 15 Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons just weeks before the transition.

Incoming city administrator Gonzalo "Sally" Malig-on questioned the timing and propriety of the move during a press conference on Sunday, May 25.

He noted that while the vehicles were already turned over for use in November 2024, the legal process to donate them is being pursued only now.

"This action should be carefully studied, with due respect to the Office of the Mayor," Malig-on said.

He emphasized the need to give serious consideration to the incoming mayor, pointing out that the vehicles are city assets, not personal assets of the current mayor.

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He questioned why the process was not carried out much earlier.

The vehicles, intended for SK chairpersons in 15 barangay, including Paknaan, Labogon, Looc, Maguikay, Casuntingan, Subangdaku, Basak, Casili, Banilad, Bakilid, Tingub, Cubacub, Cabancalan, Canduman, and Tawason, are now the subject of a proposed deed of donation.

Malig-on noted that the vehicles had already been turned over to the SK chairpersons as early as November 2024 for their daily use.

He questioned why the donation was not formalized much earlier if that had truly been the intention.

He warned that finalizing the deed would transfer ownership to the SK, limiting the city's ability to reassign the vehicles if needed.

He added that the move may restrict the incoming administration from allocating resources where they are most urgently needed.

"We believe it would be more appropriate to let the new administration decide where these vehicles are most needed," he added.

Malig-on also raised concerns about the SK's ability to maintain the vehicles, noting that under existing laws, their funds cannot be used for hiring drivers or paying for fuel and repairs.

Malig-on pointed out that for the past several months, the city government had been covering the cost of fuel and maintenance for the vehicles.

He warned that once the donation is finalized, those responsibilities would shift to the SK chairpersons.

He questioned whether the SK has the capacity and budget to handle such obligations.

Councilor Joel Seno, an ally of Ouano, echoed Malig-on's concerns, criticizing what he described as the suspicious timing of the donation.

"If this was truly for the benefit of the SK, the donation could have been done months ago," Seno said.

Seno questioned the timing of the proposed donation, saying that out of delicadeza, it was inappropriate to dispose of city property just as the current administration is about to step down.

He asked whether the move was intended to prevent the incoming administration from deciding how the vehicles should be used.

The Sangguniang Panlungsod has yet to decide on the proposed donation, which remains under review by the council's committee on laws.

Malig-on said the Ouano administration is committed to transparency and proper management of public assets and urged the outgoing officials to act with prudence.

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