P21M for execs’ cars, tablets, phones

BAYOMBONG, Nueva Vizcaya – Residents here are angry over the move of the provincial government to use P21.7 million in public funds to buy vehicles and a set of electronic gadgets for the vice governor and members of the provincial board.

Residents and netizens minced no words in expressing their disgust in mass and social media over the supposed “insensitivity” of their officials for “engaging in extravagance at a time the country is beset with natural and political disasters.”

“It’s just so shameless. These officials are now showing their true colors, that their purpose in running for public office was not to serve the people but to satisfy their personal greed,” Percival Aban, 41, a painter from Osmeña village in Solano town, said in the dialect.

Spenders

If the planned purchase of vehicles and electronic gadgets was any indication, the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Nueva Vizcaya, headed by Vice Gov. Epifanio Galima Jr., would also be doing a lot of traveling, online research and mobile computing in their legislative work.

Documents obtained by the Philippine Daily Inquirer showed that the P21.7-million allocation is part of the P25.1-million appropriation ordinance the board passed on August 27. The ordinance was approved by Gov. Ruth Padilla the next day.

The amount includes P19.5 million for the purchase of brand new service vehicles for the 13 provincial board members.

According to the supplemental annual investment plan, which the board approved to justify the purchases, the measure was in consonance with its mandate to “[enact] local laws in support of development programs and initiatives [of the provincial government].”

Tablets

Aside from the purchase of 13 vehicles, the board also earmarked P770,000 to buy 14 laptop computers with printers, valued at P55,000 each.

The board also allotted funds for the purchase of tablet computers, mobile phones, pocket Wi-Fi Internet routers and portable battery packs.

The Inquirer tried to reach Galima and the board members for comment but they did not respond to text messages sent to their mobile phones.

In a radio interview, however, Galima defended the measure, saying the purchase of new vehicles was more economical than repairing the old, dilapidated ones.

He said the planned use of laptops and other electronic gadgets was in line with the provincial government program on “paperless legislation” and to help preserve the environment.

The controversy came on the heels of a recent public rebuke of the board after it voted to slash the funds intended for the salaries of newly appointed and promoted employees of the provincial government.

Some residents expressed their disgust.

“If these so-called ‘public servants’ want to enjoy the luxuries of modern life, why do they have to use public funds? Why don’t they buy those things with their own money?” said Ronald Gandia, 44, a furniture maker of Bayombong town.

Better uses

Others said the money should have been used to improve provincial roads, mitigate flooding in many areas or address the shortage of medicines at government hospitals in Nueva Vizcaya.

Facebook user Ferdinand Villedo said: “Why don’t they just use the money to improve the road going to Wacal and PD Galima (villages in Solano town), which become virtual fishponds after a downpour.”

“This is one of the reasons politicians run for public office: They want to enjoy the luxuries of life using the people’s money,” said Joan Gay Serquinia of Aritao town. Melvin Gascon, Inquirer Northern Luzon