Fifteen vehicles designated for youth development in Mandaue City's SK (Sangguniang Kabataan) program.
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Title: Controversial Last-Minute Vehicle Donation During Political Transition in Mandaue City
Mandaue City's outgoing Administrator, Jamaal James Calipayan, confirmed that the impending donation of 15 vehicles to Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons will be utilized strictly for youth development initiatives. Calipayan stressed that the vehicles will bolster youth engagement by offering reliable transportation for official duties.
In an interview on June 2, 2025, Calipayan stated these vehicles will exclusively serve transportation needs for SK-related functions across the barangays. Moreover, the vehicles were specifically acquired for SK purposes.
Each vehicle, valued approximately at P1.5 million, was included in last year's budget allocation. Assuaging concerns raised by the Ouano administration regarding the readiness of SKs to manage the vehicles, Calipayan highlighted that SKs have been taking care of the vehicles' maintenance costs, while the drivers are job order (JO) employees supported by the City Government.
Calipayan clarified that each SK chairperson can designate barangay personnel to maintain the vehicles and drive them as required, with the drivers being JO employees for ongoing assistance from the City Government.
The use of these vehicles will depend on specific programs proposed by each barangay's SK Council, as long as they are related to youth development.
Addressing the question of why only 15 barangays received vehicles instead of all 27, Calipayan explained that the budget at the time only permitted the purchase of the 15 vehicles. He suggested that the next administration may buy vehicles for the remaining barangays if funds become available.
However, the proposed donation has drawn criticism from incoming city administrator, Sally Malig-on. During an interview, Malig-on expressed skepticism over the timing, questioning the rationale for formalizing the donation now, well after the vehicles had been distributed for use. Malig-on inquired, "Why now? The real intention was to donate the vehicles; why wasn't this done last year when they were handed over?"
Additionally, Malig-on raised issues concerning propriety and process, suggesting that the donation might bypass the authority of the incoming mayor. Malig-on suggested that City assets should undergo a comprehensive inventory and review before any disposition decisions are made.
Some have questioned whether the vehicles could be better utilized in City departments currently grappling with transportation issues. In response, Calipayan affirmed that department heads prepare their budget proposals for vehicle procurement, allowing them to request and obtain the resources they need.
Calipayan confidently asserts that the donation is lawful, transparent, and ultimately advantageous for the city's youth. Nevertheless, the timing and potential implications of the donation continued to provoke debate and scrutiny as the political transition unfolded.
- The government's policy-and-legislation regarding the transport needs of Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairpersons in Mandaue City has been a subject of recent politics and general news, with the outgoing administrator, Jamaal James Calipayan, announcing a last-minute donation of 15 vehicles to the SKs.
- The ongoing debate in Mandaue City politics revolves around the controversial donation of vehicles to SK chairpersons, with incoming city administrator, Sally Malig-on, questioning the timing and potential bypassing of authority in this policy decision regarding policy-and-legislation and general news.
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