Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 298)
The main purpose is to amend Executive Order No. 248 and its amendments to rationalize, update, and make fair and equitable the rules, regulations, and rates of allowances for official local and foreign travels of government personnel, taking into account the increasing cost of goods and services.
The head of the office, bureau, or equivalent has the authority to approve travels lasting less than thirty days.
The Department Secretary or his equivalent must approve travels lasting thirty days or more. Such approval is also construed as the approval of the Secretary of Budget and Management.
The P800 daily travel expense is apportioned as follows: 50% for hotel/lodging, 30% for meals, and 20% for incidental expenses.
Yes, reimbursement of actual expenses in excess of the authorized travel allowance may be allowed upon certification by the head of agency that such expenses are absolutely necessary for the assignment and upon presentation of bills and receipts. Affidavit or certification of loss of receipts is not accepted as substitutes.
Arrival not later than 12:00 noon entitles 100% of the travel allowance. Arrival after 12:00 noon entitles 80% of the allowance.
Claims within a 5-kilometer radius will be allowed only upon presentation of proof including official receipts that the person stayed in the assignment place during the whole official travel. If commuting daily, only actual fare and reasonable meal costs are reimbursed, with a maximum of Four Hundred Pesos (P400.00) per day.
Official transportation expenses are allowed but shall be limited to restricted economy class unless otherwise authorized by the President of the Philippines.
The DSA is based on the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Index as provided by the Department of Foreign Affairs. The allowance is apportioned as 50% for hotel/lodging, 30% for meals, and 20% for incidental expenses. If the destination country is not listed, the DSA of the nearest country is adopted.
Officials or employees must submit a report with recommendations within 30 days after return to their permanent station. Delegation reports in international conferences must be submitted to the President through the department head, with a copy to the DFA, within 30 days after the conference ends. Individual members may submit supplementary reports.