By CHRIS V. PANGANIBAN
PROSPERIDAD, Agusan del Sur — Government vehicles in Agusan del Sur will now operate under a strict weekly fuel cap as provincial officials move to cut consumption amid rising global oil prices and possible supply constraints.
In Memorandum Order No. 89 issued on March 11, Gov. Santiago B. Cane Jr. directed all offices under the Provincial Government of Agusan del Sur to implement immediate fuel conservation measures, including limiting most government vehicles to 30 liters of fuel per week.
Vehicles used for emergency response and other critical government functions may be exempted, but only with proper justification and approval from department heads, the order said.
The directive also bans the dispatch of provincial vehicles for a single passenger except in justified circumstances, while offices traveling to the same destinations—such as San Francisco, Agusan del Sur, Bayugan City, or Butuan City—must coordinate schedules and share rides whenever possible.
To tighten monitoring, all service vehicle keys must be surrendered and logged at the main lobby after office hours.
Inside the provincial capitol complex at the Governor Democrito O. Plaza Government Center, employees were also told to avoid using fuel-powered vehicles for short trips between offices. Instead, they are encouraged to walk or use available e-trikes and bicycles.
Travel rules have also been tightened. The memorandum allows official trips only for essential government operations, field activities and emergency work.
Provincial offices were also ordered to adopt a “virtual-first” policy for meetings, requiring inter-municipality coordination and committee discussions to be held online whenever possible. Travel for trainings and seminars has likewise been discouraged unless deemed necessary and approved by the Provincial Human Resource Management Office.
Drivers were also reminded to observe a “no-idling” rule, requiring engines to be turned off when waiting for passengers for more than three minutes.
Energy-saving measures inside government offices were also imposed. Air-conditioning units may now be used only from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., with offices encouraged to rely on natural ventilation outside those hours.
Department heads have been tasked to ensure compliance with the order, while the provincial government’s general services office will submit weekly reports monitoring vehicle use and fuel consumption.
The measures come as local governments begin preparing for possible fuel supply pressures and sustained price increases in the coming months.
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