Government Officials Authorized to Use Government Motor Vehicles

One of the benefits provided by the government to its official, aside from their direct and indirect monetary benefits, is the issuance of a motor vehicle which they can use for their official functions.

However, only specific government officials are authorized to use government motor vehicles, and their use is strictly limited to official duties.

Government’s general policy on the use of motor vehicles

The government exercises prudence in acquiring government motor vehicles for its officials and employees.

It maintains that the motor vehicles acquired by the government shall be limited to those necessary and appropriate for the officials authorized to use official transport vehicles and the same shall be used for the performance by government personnel of official functions or activities.

Government Officials Authorized to Use Government Motor Vehicles

Government motor vehicles are public assets meant to support the delivery of essential services. Their use is governed by strict rules to prevent abuse and ensure accountability.

Under the pertinent section in the General Provision of the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA), government motor vehicles may be used by the following officials:

• The President of the Philippines
• The Vice President
• The President of the Senate
• The Speaker of the House of Representatives
• The Chief Justice and Associate Justices of the Supreme Court
• The Presiding Justices of the Court of Appeals, Court of Tax Appeals, and the Sandiganbayan
• The Department Secretaries, Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and officials of equivalent rank
• Ambassadors, Ministers Plenipotentiary and Consuls in charge of consulates, in their respective stations abroad
• The Chief of Staff, the Vice-Chief of Staff, and the Commanding Generals of the Major Services of the Armed Forces of the Philippines
• Heads of Constitutional Commission and the Ombudsman
• Bureau Directors, Department Regional Directors and Bureau Regional Directors
• Those who may be specifically authorized by the President of the Philippines, with respect to the Executive Branch, the Senate President, with respect to the Senate, the Speaker, with respect to the House of Representatives, and the Chief Justice, in the case of the Judiciary.

Local Government Unit (LGU) Officials authorized to be assigned with motor vehicles

Subject to financial capability of the LGU concerned, the following LGU officials may be assigned motor vehicles for their officials functions, viz:

Provincial Government

• Provincial Governor, SG 30
• Provincial Vice Governor, SG 28
• Sangguniang Panlalawigan Member, SG 27
• Provincial Government Department Head, SG 26

City Government

• City Mayor, SG 30
• City Vice Mayor I/II, SG 26/28
• City Government Department Head I/II/III, SG 25/26/27
• City Government Office Head, SG 26
• Sangguniang Panlungsod Member I/II, SG 25/27

Municipal Government

• Municipal Mayor I/II, SG 27/28
• Municipal Vice Mayor I/II, SG 25/26
• Municipal Government Department Head I/II, SG 24/25
• Sanggunian Bayan Member I/II, SG 24/25

How many motor vehicles are allowed for each government official?

As a general rule, a government official authorized to use an official transport vehicle shall be allowed only one (1) motor vehicle. However, the President, Vice President, the Department Secretaries or officials of equivalent rank may be allowed a back-up vehicle for security personnel, as deemed necessary, in the performance of their functions.

Other personnel of the Departments, Agencies and other government entities concerned who were not identified above as authorized to be assigned with or use government official motor vehicle/s may be entitled to common use of motor vehicles in the exercise of their core functions.

Summary

In summary, only high-ranking officials and those whose duties require mobility are authorized to use government vehicles, and even then, only for official purposes. The Philippine government enforces these rules to uphold transparency, conserve resources, and maintain public trust.