Vizcaya using taxes for execs’ SUVs

THREE members of the Nueva Vizcaya provincial board who are getting SUVs bought with taxes—(from left) Efren Quiben, Donior Tidang and Primo Percival Marcos. MELVIN GASCON/INQUIRER NORTHERN LUZON

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya—The provincial government is determined to buy sport utility vehicles (SUVs) worth P19.5 million for members of the provincial board despite the public outcry over what was perceived to be “an act of extravagance.”

Provincial government sources who knew about the planned purchases said on Thursday that some board members had been soliciting price quotes and specifying the makes and models of the SUVs of their choice. Each member is allotted a budget of P1.5 million for the SUV.

“[The board members] are definitely pushing through with it despite all the criticisms. The target is that the vehicles will be released this month,” said a source in the board, who asked for anonymity because he was not authorized to talk about the matter.

Aside from the SUVs, the board members are also set to buy new laptop and tablet computers, mobile phones, portable Wi-Fi routers and battery packs for their use.

Gov. Ruth Padilla, Vice

Gov. Epifanio Galima Jr. and the 13 board members became the subject of public censure after they approved in August the allotment of P25 million in a supplemental budget, including P21.7 million for the purchase of vehicles and gadgets.

The controversy had triggered an online petition on the website www.change.org, launched by Nueva Vizcaya residents and those living abroad. They called the purchase “outrageous” and “an affront to the people.”

“[The amount of] P1 million can buy eight motorcycles for policemen to do their neighborhood watch for crime prevention. P21 million can be used to construct 60 classrooms for grade schoolers. P1 million goes a long way to assist patients in the provincial hospital,” the petition said.

“Each board member was instructed to decide on the choice of make of the vehicles, the type of transmission (manual or automatic) and other specifications, such as the color and the accompanying accessories,” said the source.

The Inquirer sought the board members for comment but they did not respond to messages sent to their mobile phones and Facebook accounts.

In earlier media interviews, Galima and a number of board members defended the purchases, saying they needed the vehicles so they could reach the province’s remote areas for consultations.

The reported purchase transactions were confirmed by car dealers in the Cagayan Valley region.

“Some of the board members want their units to be equipped with complete accessories, such as navigational systems, step boards and others, so that upon release, all they have to do is ride them,” said a car salesman, who asked not to be named to protect the company’s business interest.