President prohibits ‘travel junkets’
President Duterte has prohibited government officials and employees from taking “travel junkets,” and adjusted the rates and allowances for their official foreign and local trips.
The President issued Executive Order No. 77 prescribing the new rules and regulations and rates of expenses and allowances for official local and foreign travels of government personnel.
The modified travel regulations and allowances were made upon the recommendation of the Travel Rates Committee following a review of “outdated” travel rates. The President’s latest order sought to ensure the new travel rates are “fairly reasonable, cost effective, and within financial capability of the government.”
“All forms of travel junkets shall be strictly prohibited,” the order read.
“The conduct of strategic planning workshops or team building activities abroad shall not be allowed,” it added.
The authorized official local or foreign travels will cover those essential to the effective performance of an official or employee’s mandates or functions; if required to meet the needs of the concerned department or office or “there is a substantial benefit derived by the State;” if the presence of the government personnel is critical to the outcome of the meeting, conference or consultation; if the projected expenses are not excessive or involve minimum expenditure.
The President also “highly” discouraged government personnel from taking a personal leave immediately before or after the official activity. “If travel circumstances such as the nature of activity, purpose and itinerary, indicate the trip is mainly intended for personal purposes, no part thereof shall be considered as official,” the order read.
The President has also asked officials authorized to approve local or foreign travels to minimize travel cost “as far as practicable.”
Teleconferencing, videoconferencing, submission of briefs and position papers, and other forms of communications must be explored as alternatives to travel provided they do not compromise national security and confidentiality of official communications.