Caloocan pushes police, traffic staff to ride bikes to cut fuel use

The Caloocan City government wants its police and traffic personnel to swap some vehicle trips for bicycles as part of broader energy and fuel-saving measures.

Under Executive Order No. 007-26, signed by Mayor Dale Gonzalo Malapitan on March 7, all city offices are required to cut electricity and fuel use by at least 15 percent amid the ongoing global energy crisis.

The order aligns with Presidential Memorandum Circular No. 114, which calls on government agencies to reduce energy consumption in response to rising global fuel prices and supply uncertainties.

“Ipatutupad ng Pamahalaang Lungsod ng Caloocan ang Executive Order No. 007-26, na nagtatakda ng komprehensibong mga hakbang para sa pagtitipid sa paggamit ng krudo at kuryente,” Malapitan said in a social media post.

(The Caloocan City government will implement Executive Order No. 007-26, which sets comprehensive measures to conserve fuel and electricity.)

To promote fuel-efficient mobility, the city will purchase 50 mountain bikes each for the Department of Public Safety and Traffic Management and the city police.

Officials said this move will help reduce vehicle use for routine patrols and short trips.

Other conservation measures include:

• Limiting air-conditioning use to 24°C from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Turning off electronics after office hours and using power-saving modes
• Minimizing elevator use and encouraging stairs
• Pooling trips and optimizing routes for government vehicles
• Enforcing a three-minute anti-idling rule
• Using digital platforms and virtual meetings to cut travel
• Seminars and team-building activities that involve travel will also be suspended until further notice.

Malapitan assured residents that critical government services—health, emergency response, law enforcement, disaster management, and sanitation—will continue without disruption.

“Makakaasa ang ating mga kababayan na sa kabila ng mga hakbang na ito, mananatiling prayoridad ng pamahalaang lungsod ang tuloy-tuloy na paghahatid ng mga pangunahing serbisyo,” he said.

(Residents can be assured that essential services will remain a priority despite these measures.)

City offices are required to designate Energy Conservation Officers to monitor compliance and submit regular reports on energy use.

Malapitan also urged residents to support energy-saving efforts at home and work.

“Hinihikayat din natin ang lahat ng Batang Kankaloo na makiisa, kahit sa maliit na pamamaraan,” he said.
(We also encourage all Batang Kankaloo to cooperate, even in small ways.)—MCG, GMA Integrated News