Remulla: Around 40 local execs cancel foreign trips due to 'Uwan'
Department of Interior and Local Government Sec. Juanito Victor "Jonvic" C. Remulla presents the proposed 2026 budget of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) and its attached agencies on Thursday, October 16, 2025.
Around 40 local officials did not push through with their scheduled travel abroad after the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a memorandum cancelling all foreign trips due to the adverse impact of super typhoon “Uwan”.
While he understands that some of the foreign trips are commitment in relation to seminars and other activities that could be helpful for local governance, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla said it is inappropriate for the local officials concerned to push through the with the travel due to the trail of destruction wrought by “Uwan”.
On Sunday, Nov. 9, Remulla reiterated a memorandum cancelling all foreign trips, apparently in response to social media uproar on the reports that some local officials of Cebu were abroad while the province was being battered by typhoon “Tino”
Cebu was the hardest hit of “Tino” with more than 130 casualties and over 90 others missing.
“There are some 40 travel leaves that I cancelled so no one was able to depart last six days, seven days,” said Remulla in an interview over ABS-CB News Channel.
He said he personally talked to some local officials to cancel the travel due to the insurgency of their presence for their constituents.
Remulla stressed that the DILG has a sanctioning power against those who would defy his order to cancel all foreign trips.
“We can recommend disciplinary measures but actually I called for a meeting with my undersecretaries on local government and legal to study the implication of these matters,” said Remulla.
In issuing the order cancelling foreign trips, Remulla cited Local Government Code of 1991 and Republic Act No. 10121, which designate local executives as chairperson of their Local Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Councils (DRRMCs).
“They must be physically present during all phases of disaster management—preparation, response, and recovery,” said Remulla.
“Visible, hands-on leadership from both elective and appointive officials is crucial in safeguarding communities and ensuring swift recovery,” he added.