Friday, July 11, 2008 Army implements car less day
NOWADAYS, when the prices of petroleum, oil, and lubricants (POL) are continuously rising, the Philippine Army (PA), in an effort to minimize the consumption and maximize available fuel resources without necessarily asking for additional funds, has implemented a car less day within Army camps nationwide.
Army spokesman Romeo Brawner said that aside from the cost-cutting reasons, the implementation of a car less day will also promote a healthy lifestyle that can be achieved through walking and/or biking as an alternative mode of movement inside camp.
* Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays shall be car less days inside major PA camps wherein all personnel shall not be allowed to use their vehicle/s inside the camp.
* Personnel may walk or use other means of mobility that does not require the use of POL products, such as bicycle, in going to and from the offices/units inside camp during car less days.
* Personnel residing inside camp shall be required to leave their vehicles at their residence (quarters or barracks) during the designated car less days.
* Personnel residing outside camp shall be required to leave their vehicle at an area nearest the gate of the camp during car less days.
* Visitors, civilians and military, shall be required to leave their vehicle at a designated parking/holding area nearest the gate of the camp during car less days.
* The "Piso" ride shall be exempt from the car less days and personnel and visitors may avail of its services.
* Use of vehicles during car less days will only be allowed in cases of emergency. Delivery vehicles shall be exempt from this policy.
* A parking area shall be designated as holding area for vehicles coming from outside camp and vehicles that will transport personnel in going to places outside camp. This parking area shall be jump-off point in going to places outside camp. Personnel going out of camp shall walk to this parking area.
* Parking areas for bicycles shall also be designated.
* Uniform of the day during car less days shall be the authorized PA Athletic Uniform. Other types of uniform may be worn as required by a specific official activity.
* Loading of POL products at POL dumps shall be limited only to military vehicles during car less days.
Any personnel found violating this Standard Operating Procedure shall be dealt with accordingly.
"Every Filipino should have a sense of social responsibility... The continuous increase in the prices of POL is beyond the control of the citizens. However, one can innovate ways to counter this pressing concern," said Brawner. (VR/Sunnex)
