PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has signed Administrative Order (AO) 14, adopting a centralized system of procuring government motor vehicles.

Under AO 14, Duterte emphasized the need to further streamline and rationalize the approval process for requests for acquisition of government motor vehicles, in a bid to keep with the principles of "economy, efficiency, and checks and balances."

Duterte thus ordered the National Government to adopt a "most efficient and economic" policy of purchasing motor vehicles that are "cost effective, fuel-efficient and environment-friendly, and at par with improvements and developments in the automotive industry and relevant technology."

The order covered National Government agencies under the executive branch, including government-owned or -controlled corporations, government financial institutions, state universities and colleges, and local government units.

"A centralized procurement system is appropriate and consistent with the objective of the government to adopt economies of scale in its operations by purchasing from legally, technically and financially capable sources in economic lot sizes, by observing cost-efficient specifications and by making prompt payment," the President's order read.

Duterte's AO 14 also reiterated the prohibition on the acquisition and use of luxury vehicles, except those used for security reasons and purposes for the President and Vice President; donated in kind to government; used for visiting foreign dignitaries; and acquired using funds from existing official development assistance programs.

AO 14 directed Budget Secretary Benjamin Diokno to approve requests of government offices for the procurement of motor vehicles.

The motor vehicles, which will be bought by any government offices, should be used for the exercise of executive functions; transport of personnel, equipment, supplies, products and materials; transport of sick or injured persons; patrol operations; and firefighting operations.

Duterte prodded all government offices to "dedicate a percentage of their vehicular requirement to the purchase of motor vehicles using alternative fuel types such as biofuels, flexi-fuel, natural gas, and solar and electric power."

Funds necessary for the procurement of government motor vehicles would be incorporated by the concerned agencies in their respective annual or corporate operating budgets, or appropriation ordinances, according to AO 14.

AO 14, inked by Duterte on December 10, was released by Malacañang on Thursday, December 13.

On November 1, Duterte reminded government agencies to use vehicles and heavy equipment under proper care because it was costing the government money.

He also lamented that "a lot of money" had been wasted because some government offices did not properly use vehicles, despite knowing that there was lack of maintenance appropriation. (SunStar Philippines)