Question & AnswerQ&A (MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 18)
Department Secretaries, Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, other officials of equivalent rank, Provincial Governors, and Mayors of highly urbanized or independent component cities require approval from the Office of the President for travel abroad.
Requests must be submitted at least ten (10) days before the expected date of departure.
Requests should be accompanied by an itemized expense list including fare, per diems, hotel accommodation, and pre-travel expenses indicating the chargeability thereof.
Heads of government offices, including government-owned or controlled corporations and local government units traveling abroad, should designate the official acting as Officer-in-Charge for the duration of their trip.
Yes, but travel abroad while on leave or for private purposes shall not exceed ten (10) days, and any prolonged absences must be properly explained.
The circular notes a problem with incomplete or missing supporting documents and implies that complete documentation is necessary for proper evaluation of travel authority.
Yes, it applies to all heads of departments, bureaus, offices including government-owned or controlled corporations and local government units.
While the circular does not state explicit penalties, it emphasizes the importance of submitting requests at least ten days prior to departure to allow proper evaluation, implying that late submissions may face disapproval or procedural hindrances.
Yes, requests for travel authority of those not required to be cleared with the Office of the President are delegated to heads of offices as per Executive Order No. 401, series of 1990, and Memorandum Circular No. 7, dated September 30, 1992.
This Memorandum Circular took effect immediately upon adoption on October 27, 1992.