Operation Plan Red Plate is Succeeding

The initial operation of the Inter-Agency Task Force O-Plan Red Plate in April 2009, was a success.

Out of the seven (7) teams, five (5) conducted check points in Antique, Aklan, Capiz, Iloilo Province and Iloilo City. The other two (2) teams were on mobile patrol.

Base upon the team reports, the Inter-Agency Task Force apprehended and recorded 110 government vehicles allegedly violated the laws, rules, and regulations in its use .

Itemized reports per province/city Inter-Agency Task Force are as follows: team Aklan–16; Antique–7; Capiz–19; Guimaras–10; Iloilo City–13; Iloilo Province–15; Negros Occidental–30, which totaled 110 violations.

The Ombudsman Office also received a number of reports through its Ombudsman Text Hotline during the Holy Week. With this positive response from the public, it is expected that more reports will come in.

It is worthy to note that Governor Neil D. Tupas, Sr. and Mayor Jerry Treñas committed to support this campaign by doing away with their special car plates and by ordering all the officials and employees of the Iloilo City and Provincial Government to strictly use trip tickets every time they travel.

On the other hand, Governor Isidro P. Zayco of the Province of Negros Occidental manifested his support to the Oplan Red Plate campaign.

DPWH Regional Director, Rolando Asis, also instructed all District Engineers to comply with all the rules and guidelines pertaining to the use of government vehicles. He also ordered to place the DPWH logo and “FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY” sign in all their vehicles.

Aside from the newspaper articles, the campaign has also made it to the Radio and TV Programs where the public was informed about the O-Plan Red Plate Campaign. The public was also informed that they can support O-Plan Red Plate by reporting to our Hotline numbers the government vehicles which they see during weekends and holidays.

The intensified campaign of Ombudsman’s Office made a remarkable impact not only to government officials concerned but to the general public as well. Strict compliance by all national agencies and local government units in the proper use of government vehicles would mean great government savings for the benefit of the Filipino people. /MP