Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Benjamin “Benhur’’ Abalos Jr. has issued a memorandum circular (MR) that sets new guidelines for foreign travels of local chief executives (LCE) and their employees.
Based on the MC No. 2022-134, it stated that “foreign travels of all elective and appointive local government officials and employees, whether official or unofficial shall be covered by these rules and regulations.’’
The concerned parties applying for travel authority must file at least seven working days, both for official and personal or private purposes prior to the date of departure through the Foreign Travel Authority (FTA) On-Line System at www.fta.dilg.gov.ph.
The same MC also stated that governors of highly urbanized cities (HUC) and independent component city (ICC) mayors going on leave of absence (LOA) should seek the approval of the DILG chief.
During official business or official time, the DILG undersecretary for local government “by authority of the secretary’’ can approve their foreign travel.
The DILG undersecretary for local government can also approve the travel requests of the component and municipal mayors, vice-governors and vice mayors going on official time only, official business, LOA exceeding three months or during periods of emergency or crisis.
By authority of the DILG chief, the department’s regional directors are tasked to approve the travel requests of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan/ Panglungsod/Bayan member, punong barangay/Sangguniang Barangay member and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) chairperson and members on official time only, official business, LOA of more than three months or during emergency or crisis periods.
The local government (LA) employees like the department heads and rank and file with travel requests on official time only or official business should get the approval of the DILG regional directors.
In case of travel requests for LOA regardless of the number of days, be it personal or official trips, the LA personnel must secure the approval of the concerned local chief executives (LCE) or competent local authorities.
The MC stated that the incomplete administrative requirements, submission of travel requests less that seven days prior to the trip and those with no post travel authority will be grounds for the disapproval of travel requests.
“Non compliance with the MC, as well as, the other applicable laws, rules, and regulations shall be sufficient ground for the outright denial or non-processing of requests for foreign travel authority, and entitlement to travel expenses and allowances,’’ the MC stated.
“Failure to comply with the provisions of the MC may result in the filing of applicable administrative actions for misconduct, insubordination, and other related offense under the Civil Service Commission Revised Rules on administrative cases in the Civil Service and/or other relevant laws, rules and regulations,’’ it added.
Abalos said the MC takes effect on Dec. 1, 2022. (Chito A. Chavez)