DAVAO CITY, Philippines — The city of Nanning in China is set to deliver two brand new buses for the city government of Davao.
The City Council of Davao recently approved the Deed of Donation executed by Nanning City, China for the donation of two Sunlong buses.
The cities of Davao and Nanning entered into a sisterhood agreement in 2007 during the term of the then City Mayor now President Rodrigo Duterte.
The sisterhood agreement was renewed automatically after it expired in 2017.
Councilor J Melchor Quitain Jr., who chairs the Committee on Rules, Privileges, Laws, and Ordinances told reporters that a resolution was already approved by the council that authorizes the city mayor to enter into a Deed of Donation with the Municipal Government of Nanning, People’s Republic of China.
Each of the buses cost around P8 million, Quitain said.
As stated in the deed of donation, the City has to shell out P512,000 to cover half of the cost for the freight and delivery charges of the buses from China.
“Even if we shell out more than P500,000, it will still be beneficial to the city,” he explained.
Quitain said that part of the condition attached by the government of Nanning is the coverage for 50% of the freight charge.
“We asked for the legal opinion and it says that it is perfectly legal with no legal infirmities,” he added.
“We also got a certification from the City Budget Officer that the P512,000 is available, however, the money will be taken from the extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses under the Calendar Year 2019,” he said, adding that Ermelinda F. Gallego, the City Budget Officer also clarified to the City Council that the extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses is subject to the discretion of the mayor.
The City Council passed the said resolution under suspended rules on Tuesday during the regular session.
Quitain also told reporters that the use of the buses will be according to the discretion of the mayor. (davaotoday.com)
