CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga, Nov. 22 (PNA)– The provincial government distributed Friday another 100 units of brand new barangay service vehicles to village chiefs from the nine towns of the province.
Engineer Olimpio “Noli” Pangan, General Services Office officer-in-charge , said the distribution was part of the 400 brand new service vehicles purchased by the provincial capitol worth Php 216-million.
Earlier, Governor Lilia Pineda led the ceremonial turnover of the first 162 brand new barangay service vehicles.
The village chiefs, led by ex-officio board member Gerome Tubig, president of the province’s Liga ng mga Barangay, formally received the barangay service vehicles at the Provincial Engineer’s Office compound in Sindalan, this city.
The governor was joined by provincial administrator Andres Pangilinan Jr, PDRRMO Angelina Blanco, DILG provincial director Myrvi Fabia, board members Joseph Anthony Torres, Ricardo Yabut, Salvador Dimson Jr, Cherry Manalo, Crisostomo Garbo, Teddy Tumang.
The distribution was witnessed by Lubao mayor Mylin Pineda-Cayabyab, Macabebe mayor Annette Balgan, Magalang mayor Romulo Pecson, Floridablanca mayor Eduardo Guerrero, Minalin mayor Edgardo Flores, Sto. Tomas mayor Lito Naguit, Sta. Rita mayor Yolanda Pineda, Mexico mayor Roy Manalastas and Apalit mayor Oscar Tetangco Jr.
The governor told the recipient village chiefs to maximize and properly use the vehicles for the greater service and utmost benefit of the people whom they pledged to serve.
“These vehicles, we call, “Serbiyung Pambarangay” are multi-purpose. These could be used every time you bring patients to hospitals, during emergencies, rescue operations,” she said.
She said that students, who come from far flung barangays, could utilize these vehicles.
“We can use these in transporting students who will compete in different academic and sports competitions outside your barangays, and official functions of your councils,” she told the barangay captains.
She asked the village chiefs to allow the use of the barangay service vehicles for the educational and recreational tours of the poor children, particularly those who want to go to malls which they cannot do due to poverty.
“Do not deprive the indigents of the chance to enjoy and experience the comfort of life such as going to the malls even for a short period of time, if we really care for them” she said.
Fourth district board member Ricardo Yabut also advised the village chiefs to be responsible to their constituents in using the vehicles and take good care of the said vehicles.
Tubig said the village chiefs were willing to abide the memorandum of agreement which they signed with the provincial government, stipulating that if they fail to maintain and not observe the proper use of the vehicles, the capitol will pull-out the service vehicle.
Tubig expressed gratitude in behalf of the village chiefs of the province for the provision of barangay service vehicles.(PNA)