BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) cluster head and Executive Assistant Joemarie Vargas denied allegations that the backhoe recently acquired by the city government was overpriced.

Vargas said the purchase of the backhoe and truck went through the proper bidding process.

He added that the equipment is “European-made” and brand new, and is the very first of its kind in the Philippines.

The backhoe they purchase is capable of four functions, unlike the previous equipment they bought in 2009 which is only capable of three.

The functions of the recently purchase equipment are backhoe, pay loader, concrete breaker, and rock crusher.

Vargas said the 2009 backhoe they bought is still functional to this day.

Earlier this week, the city government turned over a truck and backhoe to the CDRRMO.

The backhoe cost P13 million, while the truck is worth P5 million.

The said the backhoe would be used for rescue operations during earthquakes, along with creating temporary drainage systems during floods.

Aside the recently acquired equipment, the CDRRMO is also set to receive two more additional rapid response vehicles this year.