PRESS RELEASE
December 7, 2008
Office of Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri
Ref. Public Information Office
Telefax 3244644

After implementing additional austerity measures to save on gasoline and diesel, Caloocan City Mayor Enrico “Recom” Echiverri yesterday ordered a crackdown against the misuse of city government service vehicles.

“We have to ensure that every city government official and employee will not use city-owned vehicles for their personal interests,” the mayor emphasized.

Based on the most recent records of the General Services Office, Property Management and Control Division, the city government maintains a total of 189 regular, 30 two-wheeled, 136 with sidecar, and 28 heavy equipment vehicles.

The city government strictly prohibits all employees and city officials, including the police department, fire department and Division of City Schools, from using government vehicles for purposes other than official business or travel; beyond office hours; or without a valid trip ticket as part of the travel requirement.

Echiverri said suspension awaits those who would continue to use government-issued or red-plated vehicles for unofficial business or travels.

“Every official and employee should be sensible and responsible in the use of government service vehicles. We will make sure that any violator will either be subjected to disciplinary action, suspended or their vehicle privileges removed,” he added.

For her part, City General Services Officer Caroliza delos Santos said the city government spends around P1.4 million every month on gasoline for government vehicles.

“A memorandum has already been released setting a limit to the amount of gasoline allowed for vehicle,” delos Santos said.

She added that with the controlled used of these vehicles, the city would be able to save a lot of money on gasoline expenses.

The mayor, meanwhile, directed the Reformed Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management to conduct periodic checkpoints throughout the city to ensure that these vehicles will not be used in driving children to school, for example.

He also urged the public to be involved in monitoring and to immediately report any unscrupulous use of red-plate vehicles to the Property Division 2888811 loc. 2298 and 3235213