CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – At least 50 new vehicles have been purchased by the city government in its drive for faster delivery of services to its constituents, especially in the fields of health, public order, disaster response, and other social services.
“Sa isang lokal na pamahalaan, napakahalaga po ng mobility. Napakahalaga na mabilis nating naidadala ang mga serbisyo sa ating mga kababayan. Ngayong may mga karagdagan tayong mga sasakyan, na bago pa, mas mapapabilis po natin ito,” said Mayor Edwin “EdSa” Santiago at the simple commissioning rites and blessing of the vehicles.
Ambulances, buses, motorcycles, trucks, pickups, and vans comprised the bulk of the newly purchased vehicles.
Engr. Michael Quizon, Jr., city general services officer, said the vehicles were purchased using different fund sources of the city government, through a process of procurement.
“Sa pagbili ng mga sasakyan na ito, gumamit tayo ng iba’t-ibang sources. Mayroon tayong ginamit sa general funds, peace and order funds, at calamity funds natin. Compliant din at sumusunod tayo sa batas kaya idinaan natin sa procurement process ang pagbili sa mga ito,” Quizon noted.
With the Philippine National Police being one of the major recipients of this project, Pampanga police director Col. Thomas Ibay said the vehicles will directly contribute to police response and visibility.
Enthused Ibay: “Natutuwa tayo na naghandog ng mga bagong sasakyan ang [lokal na pamahalaan] sa CSF Police natin. Napakalaking tulong ng mga ito dahil magagamit natin ito sa police response at police visibility natin. Panawagan naman din natin sa mga kapulisan to practice yung pangangalaga sa mga equipment dahil makakatulong ito sa pag-enforce ng mga batas natin.”
City health office OIC Dr. Carlos Mercado also expressed his delight for the new ambulances which will be used by the Health Emergency Management Staff (HEMS) and San Fernando Rescue Unit (SAFRU).
“Dalawang karagdagang ambulansya po yung ating natanggap ngayon at ang mga ito po ay malaking tulong sa ating Covid-19 response. Ngayong mayroon po tayong sariling isolation facility, mas mapapadali po yung pag-transfer at pagbibigay serbisyo natin sa ating mga pasyente. Maliban po diyan, regular din ang operasyon ng ating HEMS at SAFRU na 24/7 na aktibo upang mag-responde,” he said.
Also included in the roster of recipients among the offices and attached agencies were the city public orderand safety coordinating office, city engineer’s office, city general services office, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.
In compliance with government policy, all the vehicles have undergone proper registration and insurance processes by the Land Transportation Office and the Government Service Insurance System prior to the turnover to ensure the safety and protection of the units and their drivers.
Also present at Monday’s blessing of the vehicles officiated by Rev. Fr. Homer Policarpio at the Heroes Hall grounds, were Vice Mayor Jimmy Lazatin and heads of offices.
