Vargas: The new equipment has four functions instead of three

By Dominique Gabriel G. Bañaga

Bacolod City Disaster Risk Reduction Management Office (CDRRMO) cluster head, Executive Assistant Jose Ma. Vargas, denied allegations claiming the city’s recently-acquired backhoe was overpriced.

According to the city official, the purchase of the backhoe, along with a truck, went through the proper bidding process prior to being acquired by the city government.

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

He added, the backhoe is capable of four functions – backhoe, pay loader, concrete breaker, and rock crusher – unlike the equipment bought in 2009 which were only capable of three functions.

Vargas noted, the 2009 backhoe is still functional.

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

The Hidromek backhoe cost P13 million, while the truck cost P5 million.

The said backhoe is expected to be used for rescue operations during earthquakes, along with creating temporary drainage systems during floods.

CDRRMO is also set to receive two additional rapid response vehicles this year./DGB, WDJ