The Bacolod City government will issue notices asking for explanations from 45 individuals about the whereabouts of government vehicles reported as missing.

As of yesterday, the inventory of the General Services Office (GSO) showed that of the number, 77 have been accounted for, but still not physically seen during the time of inspection, while the remaining 45 have not been located yet.

“There will be 45 persons who will be sent the notice to explain why, based on records, the vehicle is with them but cannot be located or accounted for,” Mayor Alfredo Benitez said.

He added that these vehicles were issued to the barangays or the Bacolod City Police Office, and also to already retired employees.

Benitez said the 77 will also be asked to explain to determine whether the vehicles issued to them are now unserviceable and where they are located now.

“They will also be sent the notice to explain to clear themselves of the assignments and accounts,” he said.

The physical inventory of the city government-owned vehicles, which started last month as part of the preparations for the establishment of a ride-hailing system for the departments and offices, showed that out of the total 500 units on record, only 378 were considered accounted for, of which only 197 vehicles are serviceable.

Through the ride-hailing application called MABB (Mayor Albee B. Benitez) Cab, city government offices can book a service vehicle to be used for authorized travel.

Considering that not all vehicles transport personnel on official business daily, a vehicle not in use can be booked by other offices when needed.

The MABB Cab system is patterned after the Negros Occidental provincial government’s Capitol Cab, a ride-hailing service with a digital booking application that handles the travel demands of provincial government employees on official business. (PNA)