Guidelines on RATA for Local Water District Officials

Section 2 authorizes LWD governing boards to increase commutable RATA of specified officials pursuant to Section 41, General Provisions of RA 8760.
The Circular states that its guidelines align RATA grant with the rates authorized under the General Provisions of the FY 2000 GAA, Republic Act No. 8760, and years thereafter.
The Circular modifies inconsistent rules through its repealing clause, affecting prior implementing rules on RATA.

The Circular directs that LWDs grant RATA under rules that conform to the authorized rates in the annual budget framework for government officials.
The Circular enables continued implementation and adjustments of RATA in future years through a budgeting and funding mechanism.
The Circular aims to standardize how LWDS determine the maximum monthly rate and how they treat funding shortfalls.

The Circular governs RATA authorization for officials in Local Water Districts (LWDS).
The governing boards may authorize increases in the monthly commutable RATA for the following positions:
- General Manager
- Assistant General Manager
- Department Manager
- Division Manager
The Circular uses city/municipality equivalency rules to determine the maximum monthly rate for RATA.
The Circular also governs situations involving an official designated as Officer-in-Charge of a position entitled to RATA.

For maximum monthly rate computation, LWD officials in cities or municipalities are equated to national government officials entitled to RATA under the annual GAA, using the referenced Annex “A”.
When funds are not sufficient to implement fully the RATA rates, LWD officials may receive the RATA at a uniform percentage of the national RATA rates.
The Circular sets rules on who may collect RATA when an official is designated Officer-in-Charge of a RATA-entitled position.

An Officer-in-Charge of a position entitled to RATA may collect the RATA authorized for that position if the order of designation so specifies.
If the designated Officer-in-Charge is also entitled to RATA in the regular position, the official may collect only the difference, if any, between the RATA for the two positions.

The transportation allowance authorized under the Circular shall not be granted to an official who uses government motor transportation in performing official duties and responsibilities.
If the official is assigned a government motor transportation, the official must use the same.
If the government vehicle assigned to the official is under repair for at least one week, the official may collect the corresponding proportion of the monthly transportation allowance of the position.

LWDs may automatically implement adjustments in RATA under the annual GAA.
Automatic adjustments are subject to:
- availability of funds as authorized under the annual budget of the LWD concerned, and
- compliance with the rules and regulations prescribed under the Circular.
Funding requirements for these adjustments must be within 75% of revenue from operations net of the required subsidy for loans amortization.

LWD governing boards are held responsible and personally liable for any payment of RATA that is not in accordance with the provisions of the Circular.
The Circular preserves the possibility of correcting overpayment by providing for refund of any excess payment by the official concerned.

For cases not covered by the Circular’s provisions, the matter must be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management for appropriate action and/or resolution.
Inconsistent rules and regulations are deemed modified accordingly by the Circular’s effect.

The Circular takes effect on January 1, 2000.
The Circular was adopted on November 14, 2000, signed by (SGD.) BENJAMIN E. DIOKNO, Secretary.