Personal use of gov’t cars? Try installing GPS devices

HERE is one measure the Aquino administration can look at to thwart personal use of government cars by local officials and their families, and save millions of pesos in automotive expenses every year.

State media reported on Friday that China would install GPS (global positioning system) devices in government cars to end personal use by officials as part of the Communist Party’s anticorruption campaign.

Almost 200,000 government cars have been misused for private purposes, the Beijing Times newspaper reported, citing the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection.

The commission also recommended that

ministries and regions detail their car expenses.

The southern city of Guangzhou adopted a similar plan using GPS devices last year, the Times said.

According to the graft agency, Guangzhou has already saved $6.87 million each year, or $8,200 per car.

Since taking over as Communist Party chief late last year and as head of state inMarch, Chinese President Xi Jinping has called corruption a threat to the party’s survival and vowed to go after powerful “tigers,” as well as lowly “flies.”

Xi has sought to calm growing public anger at the flamboyant lifestyles of many officials, most of whom are on low salaries.

The government has vowed to fight the “four tendencies” of bad cadres, which include “hedonism” and “extravagance.”

In the Philippines, government cars are often seen ferrying officials’ wives and children to shopping malls or schools.

Also frequently misused are cars assigned to legislators.

But with GPS devices installed in the cars, the government can control the use and extend the life of the vehicles and save millions.

Requiring detailed car costs should also keep officials’ and lawmakers’ families, relatives, friends and neighbors away from the vehicles.