Required Supporting Documents and Applicable Annexes
- Travel requests must be accompanied by supporting documents as enumerated in the applicable annexes:
- Annex A for Heads of Departments, Heads of GOCCs, GFIs, and Office of the President (OP)-attached Agencies.
- Annex B for Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, Directors, and officials of equivalent rank and other government personnel.
- Annex C for private individuals, groups, or organizations requesting tax exemptions.
Limitations on Allowances and Entitlements
- No representation allowance is granted to officials traveling abroad for speaking engagements or training/study; this allowance shall not exceed US$1,000 per travel.
- Airfare for flights up to four (4) hours must be limited to restricted economy class; long-haul or flights beyond four hours may have exceptions.
- Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) to cover accommodation, meals, and incidentals is based on the monthly rates specified by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
Restrictions on Private Individuals and Consultants
- Private individuals and consultants are not issued travel authorities.
- They are not entitled to government funding when traveling abroad.
Exceptions and Non-Compliance
- In unavoidable cases where the ten (10) working-day lead time cannot be met, an explanation or justification must accompany the late request.
- Failure to comply with any requirements can result in denial or non-processing of the travel requests.
Reporting Requirements After Travel
- Officials or employees authorized to travel abroad must submit a report including recommendations to their Head of Office or Agency within one (1) month of return.
- Delegations participating in foreign conferences or conventions must submit a collective report to the Office of the President through the Secretary of Foreign Affairs within one (1) month after the event closes.
Effective Date
- The memorandum circular takes effect immediately upon issuance.
Key Legal Concepts and Procedural Principles
- Emphasizes timely and complete submission of travel requests to facilitate smooth processing.
- Ensures objective evaluation by requiring detailed information and documentation.
- Imposes strict limitations on allowances to promote prudent use of government funds.
- Sets forth accountability mechanisms through mandatory post-travel reporting.
- Provides clear grounds for denial to uphold administrative discipline and efficiency.