‘15 Mandaue City SK vehicles for youth dev’

OUTGOING Mandaue City Administrator Jamaal James Calipayan has assured that the proposed donation of 15 vehicles to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons will be used responsibly and solely for youth development initiatives.

Calipayan said in an interview on Monday, June 2, 2025, the donation is meant to strengthen youth engagement by providing reliable transportation for official functions.

“These vehicles will serve as transportation for SK-related activities and programs in the barangays,” said Calipayan, adding that the vehicles were bought specifically for SK use.

The vehicles, valued at around P1.5 million each, were included in last year’s budget allocation.

Calipayan addressed concerns raised by the incoming Ouano administration on whether the SKs were operationally ready to manage the vehicles.

He explained that SK units have been handling the vehicles’ maintenance expenses, while the drivers are job order (JO) employees paid by the City Government.

“Each SK chairperson can designate barangay personnel to oversee the upkeep and drive the vehicle. The drivers are JO workers, so the City still provides support,” he said.

Calipayan explained that the use of the vehicles would depend on the specific programs of each barangay’s SK Council, as long as these fall under youth development.

Barangays

As to why only 15 barangays were given vehicles and not all 27 barangays in Mandaue, Calipayan explained that the 15 vehicles were the maximum number the City could purchase with the available budget at the time.

“Those 15 vehicles that were purchased last year were all that the budget could cover. Maybe the next administration can purchase for the barangays that didn’t receive one,” he said.

He added that there would likely be no issue if the next administration decides to purchase vehicles for the barangays that did not receive any, for as long as there would be an available budget.

Despite Calipayan’s clarification, the proposed donation has drawn criticism from incoming city administrator Sally Malig-on.

In an interview, Malig-on questioned why the donation was only being formalized now, months after the vehicles were already turned over for use.

The deed of donation was only included in the agenda of the Sangguniang Panlungsod session on May 26, and remains under review by the council’s committee on laws.

“Why now? If the real intention was to donate the vehicles, why wasn’t this done last year when they were handed over for use?” asked Malig- on.

He also raised the issue of propriety, suggesting that the timing appears to bypass the authority of the incoming mayor.

Malig-on argued that the City’s assets should first be subject to a full inventory and review before final decisions are made regarding their disposition.

Some questioned whether the vehicles might be better allocated to City departments that currently lack transportation.

In response, Calipayan said department heads typically submit their own budget proposals for vehicle procurement, giving them the opportunity to identify and request the resources they need.

Calipayan maintained that the donation is lawful, transparent, and ultimately intended to benefit the city’s youth. / CAV