Question & AnswerQ&A (DBM NATIONAL BUDGET CIRCULAR NO. 442)
The main purpose is to prescribe the allowable cost of participation of government officials and employees in conventions, seminars, conferences, symposia, and similar gatherings.
The Circular covers all government officials and employees participating in conventions, seminars, conferences, symposia, and similar gatherings conducted or sponsored by non-government organizations or private institutions in the Philippines.
The Circular covers conventions, seminars, conferences, and similar gatherings conducted basically for sharing, discussing, or disseminating ideas or information on developments in particular fields or common appreciation and resolution of certain issues.
Gatherings conducted for training purposes where participants are expected to gain or strengthen skills and technical or management expertise in their areas of endeavor are excluded.
Yes, government officials and employees may participate in such activities for a fee, as part of the government's human resource development program, subject to Civil Service Commission rules and chargeable against government funds.
The registration fee shall not exceed P900 per day per participant. Amounts exceeding this limit shall be shouldered by the participant.
Yes, they may be entitled to per diems, traveling, transportation, and other expenses as authorized under existing budgeting and accounting rules.
Personal or individual membership fees shall be borne by the member and not charged against government funds. However, institutional or agency membership fees may be charged to government funds.
Yes, expenditures should not exceed the appropriation for training and seminar expenses of the concerned agencies and are subject to usual accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
The Circular took effect immediately on March 29, 1995.