Marcos allows DILG chief to delegate foreign trips approval for local execs
President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. (PCO photo)
President Marcos has authorized the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) secretary to delegate the approval of foreign travel requests of local government officials.
Through Administrative Order No. 47, Marcos allowed the DILG Secretary to delegate the approval to designated representatives, citing the volume of travel requests.
"Considering the volume of travel requests and the increasing demands of regional coordination, there is a need to refine approval processes to ensure responsiveness amid contemporary government realities, strengthen government systems and improve bureaucratic efficiency, while also maintaining sufficient oversight and supervision over local governments," the order read.
The order amended AO No. 267 (1992) to expedite the processing of travel applications for local government officials.
Administrative Order No. 267 had previously delegated the President's authority to approve such travel requests to the DILG secretary.
The latest amendment allows the secretary to pass on that authority to designated representatives to facilitate faster processing.
Under Republic Act (RA) No. 7160 or the Local Government Code, local government officials traveling abroad are required to secure permission from the Office of the President when the period of travel extends to more than three months, during periods of emergency or crisis, or when the travel involves the use of public funds.
The order also cited the rules governing official local and foreign travel of government personnel under Executive Order No. 77 (2019), emphasizing the need to make government systems more responsive while preserving accountability and oversight over local government units.
It was signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto, by authority of the President, on July 30.
The order takes effect immediately upon its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.