How many times have you seen a government vehicle bearing a red plate conveniently parked at shopping malls, bars, or restaurants, or cruising down the highway on what appears to be a family road trip? More often than not, these sightings happen on weekends, holidays, and even late at night, well beyond regular government office hours.

Such use raises concerns over the misuse of government vehicles, especially considering that their fuel, maintenance, and operating expenses are funded by taxpayers. For many motorists, the presence of red-plate vehicles in clearly non-official settings has become a familiar and frustrating sight.

Seeking to put an end to these practices, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) has issued Memorandum Circular 2026-011, effective immediately. The directive reiterates strict rules on the use of government-owned vehicles and aims to curb unauthorized, personal, and non-official usage, particularly outside of official working hours.

Who’s covered?

The DILG clarified that this memo has broad coverage, applying to all elected and appointed local government officials. It also covers officers and personnel from the DILG Central Office, as well as its regional and field offices, including those from agencies attached to the department. The directive is intended to ensure uniform compliance across all levels of the DILG and local government units nationwide.

What’s prohibited?

Under the new memo, the DILG now strictly prohibits the use of government-owned vehicles on Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on holidays or during periods when there is no official government business. The directive also explicitly bans the use of these vehicles for personal or private purposes.

What are the liabilities for those who violate this memo?

To promote greater accountability and the responsible use of taxpayer-funded government assets, particularly government vehicles, the DILG warned that officials covered by the memorandum may face administrative and even criminal liability for violations.

The department also encouraged the public to report any suspected misuse of government vehicles through its official reporting channels and hotline.