AFP units ordered to conserve fuel

MANILA, Philippines—Feeling the pinch of spiraling oil prices, the Armed Forces of the Philippines has ordered all military units to adopt austerity measures in the use of its petroleum, oil, and lubricant (POL) products.

AFP Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Jessie Dellosa issued a directive outlining austerity measures on the military’s consumption of POL products to “minimize (the) impact (of oil price hikes) in the accomplishment of the organization’s mission.”

He directed all military commanders in the headquarters and the field to strictly observe the guidelines.

In his directive, Dellosa said the release of POL supply to military units should prioritize peace and security operations while “non-essential movement of vehicles shall be avoided.”

He ordered military office personnel to devise a “carpool” scheme among themselves to save on fuel expenses.

And “whenever possible,” Dellosa said, all units and offices should avoid or minimize the use of gas-guzzling vehicles that use fuel inefficiently.

Dellosa also ordered military personnel to strictly follow the periodic preventive maintenance schedule of military vehicles.

“We assure (the public) that this will not affect the performance of our major responsibilities and mission,” he said in a statement.

Even before Dellosa’s directive, all military units and offices are required to submit a monthly oil consumption report as part of monitoring of POL transactions.

The AFP also observes the policy of not issuing fuel to military vehicles without a decal, as well as to vehicles prohibited to travel based on the Metro Manila Development Authority’s coding scheme.

“This is our way of expressing our oneness with the nation in doing all possible means in saving and conserving our resources,” Dellosa said in a statement.—With Frances Mangosing, INQUIRER.net