The Cebu City government has issued a demand letter to Barangay Apas officials regarding a missing ambulance that was marked as 'not found' during a recent inventory.
Inventory and Demand Letter
In a document dated March 25, 2026, the Department of General Services (DGS) ordered Barangay Apas officials, through Barangay Captain Virgil Cabigon, to present or explain within five days the location of a Toyota Hiace commuter van ambulance under their custody. The directive, signed by the DGS, cited Commission on Audit (COA) Circular 2020-006, which outlines rules on physical inventory and accountability for government properties.
Follow-Up and Accountability
A follow-up letter dated April 15 was sent to former Barangay Captain Ramil Ayuman, clarifying the situation. According to the DGS, they received information that the ambulance, with plate number SKN 554, was brought to a Toyota service center for repair and maintenance. However, the department noted that they were not formally notified and received no documents regarding the transfer, repair status, or exact location of the vehicle. Due to the lack of documentation and the vehicle's absence during inventory, the DGS deemed it necessary to issue a demand letter to the accountable officer, who also holds the Property Acknowledgement Receipt (PAR). The letter orders Cabigon to release the ambulance or submit a written explanation detailing its current location.
Background of the Incident
This development stems from a request by Ayuman, who sought the city's help to verify the ambulance's status. In his letter, Ayuman expressed concern that the vehicle had not been returned to the barangay since it was reportedly sent for repair in Talisay City. He also mentioned that the ambulance was involved in a fatal accident in 2020 and that repair costs have reportedly increased, further complicating the situation. Ayuman emphasized the importance of locating the vehicle, as it is considered a vital asset for providing emergency services to residents.
