DILG to LGUs: Do not buy, use luxury vehicles for operations

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Wednesday reminded local government units (LGUs) that they are prohibited from acquiring or using luxury vehicles for their operations.

In a statement, DILG Secretary Benjamin Abalos Jr. called on LGU officials to exercise due prudence and comply with budgetary, procurement, and auditing laws as well as other regulations and standards.

“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,” he said.

(Let’s be economical in choosing vehicles, especially since we have yet to recover from the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy.)

“Dapat po tayong maging halimbawa sa ating mga nasasakupan sa masinop na paggamit ng pondo ng bayan [We should be role models to our constituents in being careful in using government funds],” he added.

According to the DILG, the following are considered as luxury vehicles:

• 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;
• 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;
• sports utility vehicles with an engine displacement exceeding 2,700 cc if gasoline-fed or 3,000 cc if diesel-fed and/or with an engine exceeding four cylinders

Abalos said LGUs should procure vehicles in the most efficient and economic manner considering that these are cost-effective, fuel-efficient, environment-friendly, and at par with improvements and developments in the automotive industry and relevant technology. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News