Question & AnswerQ&A (EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 459)
The purpose of Executive Order No. 459 is to streamline the procedure in the disposition of requests of government officials and employees for authority to travel abroad, promoting administrative efficiency and allowing the Office of the President to focus on governance matters.
Members of the Cabinet and officials of equivalent rank, heads of government-owned and controlled corporations (GOCCs) and government financing institutions (GFIs) under or attached to the Office of the President, and heads of agencies under or attached to the Office of the President must seek approval from the Office of the President.
All other government officials and employees must seek approval from their respective heads of agencies, regardless of the travel length or the number of delegates. For GOCCs and GFIs attached to the Office of the President, approval must come from their heads. For GOCCs and GFIs not attached to the Office of the President, approval must come from the department head they are attached to.
Provincial Governors and Mayors of highly urbanized cities or independent component cities must seek approval from the Secretary of the Interior and Local Government for travel abroad authority.
Heads of state universities and colleges must seek approval from the Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education. Other officials and employees of these institutions must seek approval from their respective heads.
Officials empowered to approve travels abroad are required to submit a quarterly report to the Office of the President. This report must include the names of travelers, their destinations, duration, nature and purpose of travel, and the cost of travel.
Those authorized to approve travel abroad can approve up to seventy-five percent (75%) of their allocated travel budget. Approval from the Office of the President is required to utilize the remaining balance beyond this limit.
Except as otherwise modified, provisions under EO No. 248 dated May 29, 1995, EO 246-A dated August 14, 1995, and EO 298 dated March 4, 2004 which prescribe rules, regulations, and rates for allowances for official local and foreign travel remain in full force.
All prior issuances, orders, rules, or regulations inconsistent with EO No. 459 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.
Executive Order No. 459 took effect immediately upon its signing on September 1, 2005.