FOOD TRIP? P5.9M spent on‘Pag-ulikid’ meals

By: Emme Rose Santiagudo

THE PAG-ULIKID program of former mayor Jose Espinosa III is under fire for spending almost P6 million on food alone.

In a press conference, Mayor Jerry Treñas presented to the media eight separate purchase orders of the previous administration relative to the conduct of the Pag-ulikid program, totaling P5.9 million.

Treñas said one purchase order included tuna sandwich and iced tea for morning snacks, cheese pimiento and juice for afternoon snacks, and pork higado, crab omelet, rice, and bottled water for lunch.

Based on the said purchase order, the City Hall spent P219.50 for every meal given to 3,600 persons.

“This totaled to P790,200. Other purchase orders amounted to P968,400; P224,000; P269,400; P990,000; P700,000; P788,000 and P172,000,” he added.

While the transactions were not necessarily wrong, Treñas questioned the priorities of the previous administration ran by his brother-in-law (bilas).

“Nagpaminsar bala ako, wala man ko gaano, basi derecho bala ako. Kon pinsar ta bala ano priority? May mga kabataan sa kalye nga indi kakaon, may gamasakit nga gina dialysis. Waay man ko gahambal nga sala pero sa diin gid man bala ang priorities,” he said.

Aside from the food expenses, the mayor also revealed the purchase orders of some vehicles and motorcycles acquired by the previous administration.

As of now, Treñas said he is just starting and has barely scratched the surface of other transactions.

“Waay pako ka lab-ot sa litson ah kag waay pako kalabot sa bulak. Ara pa lang kita sa babaw, waay pa ta ka panaog,” he said.

Treñas has emphasized even before the start of his term that he will cancel all allegedly overpriced transactions in the City Hall.

He added that health, education, and environment are the priorities of his administration.