No red plates on Holy Week in Negros Occidental

WORKERS of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental were reminded to observe the “no red plate” policy during holidays, including the Holy Week, specifically from Thursday, April 13, until Sunday.

Government vehicles are issued red plates.

Acting Provincial Administrator Lucille Gelvolea told SunStar Bacolod on Tuesday that employees may face sanctions if they use Capitol-owned vehicles for personal and non-government purposes.

Gelvolea said government vehicles are allowed only for authorized official functions and emergency cases during the long break.

“Department heads should make sure that all vehicles shall be parked within the designated area at the Capitol grounds by Wednesday afternoon,” she said, adding that no red plate vehicles shall be seen at malls and other public places unless there are official government activities there.

For vehicles used until Wednesday evening, drivers are allowed to return it by morning of Thursday.

As of Tuesday, only the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD) was given the travel order, or permit, to use government vehicles for the Holy Week.

The Provincial Administration Office has yet to receive the travel order request of the Capitol-run Mambukal Mountain Resort to seek from the Provincial Health Office.

Gelvolea said both the PDMPD and the PHO are usually requested to provide assistance at the mountain resort located in Barangay Minoyan, Murcia catering to thousands of tourists during the Holy Week.

For hospital operations, Gelvolea said government vehicles are allowed to travel especially during emergency cases.

“We are reminding all employees to refrain from using government vehicles during these days to avoid possible charges,” she said, adding that aside from the accounting of vehicles to be made by every department, the Office of the Ombudsman is also conducting a monitoring.

The “no red plate” policy is provided under Republic Act No. 3019 or Anti-Graft and Corrupt Practices Act, Republic Act 6713 or Code of Conduct and Ethical Standards for Government Officials and Employees, and the Revised Administrative Code of the Philippines.

The use of government-owned vehicles for personal purposes is also prohibited under Commission on Audit circulars, Government Accounting and Auditing Manual, and other executive issuances.

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