Capitol responds to “save fuel for poor”
OVER the Presidential directive to “cut government waste, belt-tightening measures and living within one’s means, Bohol Capitol responded with an order to leave all government cars at the Manison or Capitol.
And just as President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo ordered all government departments and agencies to save money for food, fuel and rice subsidies for the poorest of the poor, Provincial administrator Tomas Abapo said Governor Erico Aumentado has issued corresponding directives for strict compliance.
These steps, Atty. Abapo presses, are few of the moves to stop unnecessary and wasteful spending, especially in fuel.
Speaking at the weekly Governor’s Report, Abapo said drivers have been instructed to leave their keys at the Capitol or Mansion guards to make sure no Capitol vehicles are being abused during the week-ends.
This as President Arroyo ordered all state agencies including the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Bureau of Jail Management and Penology (BJMP), Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), and the PNPA to spearhead the “belt-tightening measures” that would allow the government to provide incentives to help the private sector to generate jobs, and rescue the poor by providing them subsidies on food, fuel, and rice.
Mrs Arroyo shared she wanted all these to sustain funding the subsidies for the poor.
”How do we fund all these? The answer is: cut government waste. In challenging economic times, the government must tighten its belt and live within its means just like the average Filipino household,” the President said.
Recently, the President had directed departments and agencies to set aside 1.5 percent of their maintenance and other operating expenses (MOOE), and save up to P7 billion to fund emergency employment and subsidies to mitigate the negative effects of global economic crisis.
She added that savings and revenue sourced out from MOOE of all government agencies will be allocated to emergency employment for the next six months.
She also ordered electricity and fuel saving measures to bring down by 25 percent the consumption of fossil fuels, reduce electric consumption by at least 10 percent within 10 weeks, obliging all government offices to use incandescent fluorescent bulbs to save energy and electric consumption.
The President also reiterated that the government must convert 20 percent of its vehicles in major cities to non-fossil fuels like bio-diesel.
“Government vehicles including police cars, not on official trip, should be garaged in the agency office and the keys kept by guards during weekend and holidays. Government vehicles used by officials below Cabinet rank may not have security plates unless there is imminent danger to their lives,” she stressed. (rachiu/PIA)
CUTTING on fuel costs, Gov. Aumentado orders all government vehicles to be stored at the Capitol or mansion grounds on Fridays to keep them from abuses during weekends, says Atty. Tomas Abapo. (PIA)
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