Nanning to donate 2 buses

Davao City — An international sister city will donate two brand new buses to the city.

The City Council recently approved the Deed of Donation executed by Nanning City, China for the donation of two Sunlong buses.

Councilor J Melchor Quitain Jr. who chairs the Committee on Rules, Privileges, Laws, and Ordinances read the resolution 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 costs not less than 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 that will come from China.

“Even if we shell out more than P500,000, it will still be beneficial to the city,” said Quitain explaining 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,” Quitain, the majority floor leader, said.

“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 CY 2019,” he added.

Quitain said based on information from Ermelinda F. Gallego, the City Budget Officer, the extraordinary and miscellaneous expenses is subject to the discretion of the mayor.

The City Council passed the said resolution under suspended rules Tuesday, Sept. 17, during the regular session.

Quitain also said that the use of the buses will be according to the discretion of the city mayor.

Davao and Nanning entered into a sister city agreement signed in 2007 during the term of the then City Mayor now President Rodrigo Duterte. It was renewed automatically after it expired in 2017.