Mandaue SKF prexy wants more vehicles

Mandaue City SK Federation President and ex-officio Councilor Gayle Jumao- as has expressed hope that the incoming administration will allocate funds to provide vehicles for other Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) officials who were not included in the recent distribution.

- Kristin de Dios/FPL

This follows the City Council's approval of an ordinance authorizing the Office of the Mayor to formalize deeds of donation for 15 vehicles granted to selected SK chairpersons—a move that has stirred controversy with the incoming administration.

Mayor-elect Thadeo Jovito “Jonkie” Ouano’s transition team, led by Atty. Gonzalo “Sally” Malig-on, questioned the timing of the approval, describing it as a “midnight action.”

Jumao-as, however, defended the move, saying the city only acted on the matter now because it was previously delayed by the election ban.

In fact, the last barangay to receive a vehicle was her own, Barangay Paknaan, which only got its unit in December.

She explained that by January, requirements and documents were still incomplete, and the deed of donation could not be processed due to the election-related restrictions.

“Naturally, diri mi mulihok sa after election,” Jumao-as said in an interview.

She denied allegations that the move was politically motivated, saying it had nothing to do with the incoming administration or any intent to hamper service delivery.

“We also have to respect the wishes of the present administration,” said Jumao-as.

Looking ahead, she expressed hope that Mayor-elect Ouano would be “kind enough” to allocate funds for the remaining barangays that have yet to receive their own vehicles.

“Nanginahanglan gyud ang mga SK ani, maybe our next mayor will be able to appropriate funds since naa naman tay bag-o nga budgeting year,” said Jumao-as.