A NEW riding system on government vehicles issued to employees of the Provincial Government of the Negros Occidental will soon be implemented, an official said.
Provincial Administrator lawyer Rayfrando Diaz II said Wednesday, October 20, the move came after the recovery of five missing vehicles that were either found in private repair shops or were never properly turned over by their previous users.
Diaz said the vehicles were now repaired and are already usable, adding that they are now securing the vehicle's registration and insurance documents prior to returning to service.
The recovered vehicles included utility trucks and sedan-type cars that were previously assigned under the Provincial Environmental Management Office (Pemo) and the Provincial Disaster Management Program Division (PDMPD).
Diaz said they are now planning to include these in the existing fleet of 15 service vehicles exclusively for provincial government employees working in the frontline of the fight against coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
Currently, the provincial government is developing a mobile phone application, wherein Capitol employees will be able to book the vehicles when they need them.
In principle, Diaz likened the application to ride-hailing services, but it is only available for use by provincial government employees.
Diaz said upon getting the vehicle of their choice, they can only use it for official government business, or as a service vehicle between their home and workplace.
Government-owned vehicles are not allowed to be used for their personal travels.
Capitol employees are given the option to have a driver or if they want to drive the vehicle themselves.
The booking procedure also includes a travel order.