CEBU, Philippines — Local chief executives are reminded by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) that they are prohibited from acquiring or using luxury vehicles.
DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos, Jr. said the provincial governors, mayors and barangay captains should exercise due prudence when purchasing motor vehicles and observe strict compliance with budgetary, procurement, and auditing laws, regulations, and standards at all times.
Abalos said that acquisition of motor vehicles should be done in the most efficient and economic manner.
Vehicles procured are expected to be cost-effective, fuel-efficient, environment-friendly, and at par with improvements and developments in the automotive industry, and relevant technology.
“Manatili po tayong matipid sa pagpili ng sasakyan lalo na’t hindi pa tayo nakakabangon sa masasamang epekto sa ekonomiya ng pandemya ng COVID-19. Dapat po tayong maging halimbawa sa ating mga nasasakupan sa masinop na paggamit ng pondo ng bayan,” said Abalos.
Considered “luxury vehicles” are cars (sedan or hatchback) with an engine displacement exceeding 2,500 cc if gasoline-fed or 3,500 cc if diesel-fed and/or with an engine exceeding four cylinders; passenger vans or pick-up type vehicles with an engine displacement exceeding 2,500 cc, if gasoline-fed or 3,000 cc if diesel-fed and/or with an engine exceeding four cylinders; and multipurpose vehicles and vans with an engine displacement exceeding 2,500 cc, if gasoline-fed or 2,800 cc if diesel-fed and/or with an engine exceeding four cylinders.
For sports utility vehicles, all with engine displacement exceeding 2,700 cc, if gasoline-fed or 3,000 cc if diesel-fed and/or with an engine exceeding four cylinders are considered luxury.
The purchase of secondhand or reconditioned vehicles, except for aircraft and seacraft, regardless of the source of funds and approving authority is also disallowed.
In DILG Memorandum Circular (MC) 2022-105, LGUs are encouraged to dedicate a percentage of their vehicular requirements to the purchase of motor vehicles using alternative fuel types such as biofuels, flexi-fuel, natural gas, and solar-powered, taking into consideration the sustainability or power supply in the area of operation.
Local chief executives are allowed to acquire motor vehicles and heavy equipment chargeable against their local funds subject to specification limitations.
It has to be specific-purpose vehicles such as ambulances, patrol, and armored vehicles, fire trucks, prisoners’ vans; heavy equipment such as road construction equipment, cargo transport equipment, farm machinery, waste management or environmental sanitation equipment, etc.; locally-assembled, owner or passenger-type jeep; motorized bancas and motorized boats; vehicles for mass transport; motorcycles and tri-wheel vehicles. — FPL (FREEMAN)