CABARROGUIS, QUIRINO - The DILG Quirino, thru its Local Government Capability Development Unit (LGCDU), conducted a virtual orientation on the DILG Memorandum Circular No. 2021-004 on April 27, 2021 via Zoom to align LGUs with the revised guidelines on motor vehicle acquisition.

Present during the activity are the department heads of the Provincial Government of Quirino, DILG Field Officers and counterparts from the Bureau of Local Government Supervision (BLGS) of the DILG Central Office.

In her message, Provincial Director Salvacion Baccay highlighted the major change in the processing of requests for authority to purchase (ATP) vehicle, wherein requests from component cities, municipalities, and barangays are now under the Regional Director to approve, and requests from provinces, HUCs, and ICCs remain to be under the scope of the DILG Central Office. She encouraged everyone to use the activity as an avenue to air clarifications because, “the non-compliance of LGUs with the requirements provided in the guidelines defeats the very goal of the LGU to acquire motor vehicles immediately”, said PD Baccay.

LGOO II John Lambert Pascual discussed the types and specifications of vehicles that are under the authority of the DILG and gave emphasis to the various documentary requirements that need to be submitted along with the LCE letter-request for authority to purchase vehicle. To allow for a better understanding, he also shared a thematic presentation of the process flow for each request received from a component city, municipality, and barangay in comparison with requests received from Provinces, HUCs, and ICCs.

For the guidance of everyone, BLGS ADC Estelita DC. Brondial said that the Department highly discourages LGUs to request for ATP second-hand vehicle because of the high-cost maintenance and the risks it may impose.

In her closing message, PM Blessing Grace G. Sagun underscored the importance of motor vehicle to LGUs especially in this time of crisis. “At a time like this, motor vehicle is a matter requiring urgency. Others may be requesting it to fetch locally stranded individuals or transport health workers to facilities. Others want to acquire vehicles that can withstand the rough terrain to reach even the farthest of barangays in the delivery of service”, she said.

To hasten the preparation of documents and approval of requests, PM Sagun also urged everyone to never hesitate to tap the concerned DILG personnel for technical assistance. (SOURCE: LGOO II JOHN LAMBERT A. PASCUAL)