The city government has been hounded by reports that the 15 units of vehicles it purchased for the use of 15 barangays here were overpriced. The reports said the three units of vehicles were bought for only P100,000. If the reports were true, then each vehicle only cost the city a little more than P36,000. 

"Of course that's not true," the exasperated Amane told The Capiz times. "I have been answering the same issue again and again." 

Amane said he had already humbled himself before some critical media people but "it seems no amount of explanation can enlighten them." 

Amane said he was willing to answer all the accusations related to the purchase of the vehicles and that he has papers to show that the transaction was legal. 

So far, he said, the transaction was only questioned by some media people particularly the broadcasters. 

Some barangay officials were said to have complained that the reconditioned vehicles always malfunctioned and that these were too expensive at P140,000 each. 

A driver who asked not to be named said he honestly believed the vihecle was "quite overpriced." 

The vehicles were distributed three weeks ago to Barangays Lonoy, Dumolog, Inzo Arnaldo, Dinginan, Talon, Cogon, Libas, San Jose, Tanque, and Barangays 3, 4, 8 and 9. 

Under the memorandum of agreement between the recipient barangays and the city, the barangay will shouder the salary of the driver and the expenses for gasoline and maintenance of the vehicle. 

Mayor Antonio del Rosario said the vehicles have three months warranty and are strictly for official use only. 

Amane explained three participated in the bidding. These are the VJJ Car Sales Services based in Cebu which won the bid, the Trans Industrial Utilities, Inc. based in Mandaue City with a quoted price of P145,000 per unit, and the Jorac Marketing located on Altavas St. here with a bid price of P150,00 per unit. 

The Bids and Awards Committee is composed of the mayor as chairman. The members are Councilor Geronimo Arcenas, budget officer Gilda Fernando, Amane, OIC-accountant Alma L. Alba, and treasurer Mabini Comparacion. 

This was how DBP chairman Vitaliano N. Nañagas II summed up the new thrust of the bank during his visit to Capiz and Roxas City last Aug. 29 to officially convey the commitment of DBP to cascade its banking program to the country's safoods capital. 

At the consultative meeting with provincial and city government officials held at the Provincial Capitol, Nañagas said that as part of DBP's intensified banking activities, the bank will put premium on financing support infrastructures and environment-related projects, as well as developemtn of capital markets. 

He stressed that the bank has refocused its thrust to help the country and become relevant to the development efforts of government. 

Nañagas was accompanied by other DBP officials including its president and CEO Simon Paterno, another official/director SEVP Elizabeth Ong, vice president Jimmy Fernandez who heads the Regional Management Office for Panay area, and Roxas City branch head Crisanta G. Ibero. 

In particular, Nañagas said the bank is ready to participate in the development of Capiz and Roxas City by making available to Capiceños its package of financial and technical resources. 

The bank now provides banking services to cater to the medium and long-term needs of agricultural and industrial enterprises with emphasis on small and medium-scale industries. 

"We would like to be a partner of Capiz and Rixas City," Nañagas assured local officials headed by Gov. Vicente Bermejo and city mayor Antonio del Rosario. 

Bermejo gladly welcomed the gesture of the bank to help in the development of the province. 

The visitors were welcomed by Vice Gov. Victor Tanco, Sr. 

Nañagas also held a meeting with DBP branch staff. Some members of his party visited development projects in the city. 

The DBP chair and his group were briefed on the development thrusts of the province by OIC-provincial planning and development officer Antonio V. Asis during the consultative meeting. 

For the third time, this city of more than 150 people was adjudged the cleanest and greenest component city in Western Visayas in the Gawad Pangulo sa Kapaligiran program of the Office of the President, besting Sagay City (2nd) and Victoria City (3rd), both in Negros Occidental. 

The Dumarao town in Capiz was voted first for Category A municipalities. Other two winners in this category are Miag-ao in Iloilo (2nd) and Kalibo, the capital town of Aklan (3rd). 

This was the second time that Dumarao topped the tilt. Last year, it also won under its category. 

Both Mayor Antonio del Rosario of Roxas City and Heracleo Benjamin of Dumarao expressed elation over the feat. 

"I am happy that we have maintained the No. 1 ranking in the region for three consecutive years. We owe this to the support and cooperation of the people and other sectors of the city," the mayor declared. 

"We hope we can sustain this program and make our city a Hall of Fame awardee," the mayor said. 

Other regional winners: Category B municipalities - Banga, Aklan, First; Bingawan, Iloilo, 2nd. For province, Iloilo, first; Aklan, 2nd and Capiz, 3rd. 

Inland body of water - Bugang River, Pandan, Antique, first: Timbahan River, Madalag, Aklan, 2nd; and Jar-ao River, Guimbal, Iloilo, 3rd. 

Del Rosario said he was expecting the national evaluators to visit the city by the end of the month.