Purpose of the Circular
- Prescribes policies, guidelines, and procedures for foreign travel of all Philippine National Police personnel.
Objectives
- Institutionalize systematic processing of foreign travels.
- Promote fair and equitable selection for foreign training and participation in international events.
- Extend opportunities to qualified personnel to develop competence.
- Provide comprehensive guidance to personnel on travel-related protocols.
Definitions
- Clarifies terminology such as Foreign Travel, Foreign Travel Authority, Official Time and Mission, Personal Travel and Business, Pre-departure Briefing, Special Cash Advances, Travel Advisory, Travel Documents, and Travel Expenses.
Policies
- Commitment to honor international engagements.
- Promotion of bilateral and multilateral law enforcement cooperation.
- Strict adherence to laws and regulations governing foreign travel of government personnel.
General Guidelines
- Limitation on number of PNP Command Group and Directorial Staff traveling at one time.
- Restriction on foreign training for personnel retiring within one year unless officially directed or host-sponsored.
- Compliance with Executive Order No. 298 on travel expenses.
- Austerity measures and use of economy class transportation by default.
- Mandatory Foreign Travel Authority for all foreign travels.
- Coordination with DFA and immigration authorities to prevent unauthorized travel.
- Approval of all travel authorities rests with Secretary of the Interior and Local Government/Chairman, NAPOLCOM.
- Personal invitation travels are treated as personal leave and must not involve government funds except leave with pay.
- Limit official mission travel to necessary personnel.
- Requirements for leave abroad including clearances and certificates.
- Pre-departure briefings to ensure awareness of customs, security, and travel advisories.
Specific Guidelines
- Limit foreign training or conference to one attendance every two years per personnel except official representatives.
- Prioritize younger personnel (45 years and below) when multiple candidates are qualified.
- Discourage invitations that nominate specific individuals.
- Assistance provided by Directorate for Intelligence in securing travel documents.
- Obligations of returning personnel to submit proposals on application of newly acquired knowledge.
- Returning personnel with specialized training assigned to relevant units.
- Annual reporting of foreign travels including personnel details, purpose, duration, and expenses.
Procedures
- Establishment of Foreign Travel Evaluation Board (FTEB) to select and recommend personnel.
- Creation of Foreign Travel Screening Committees (FTSC) based on classification of official mission.
- Filing requirements and timelines for application of Foreign Travel Authority for official mission and personal travel.
- Coordination with DFA and Philippine Embassy for travel details.
- Reporting duties upon arrival abroad to embassy or police attaché.
- Post-travel reporting obligations and cash advance liquidation deadlines.
- Exemptions for personnel needing immediate medical attention.
- Requirement to inform return from leave abroad to avoid being declared AWOL.
Penalty Provisions
- Violations of guidelines related to travel eligibility and expenses subject personnel to administrative liability classified as Grave Misconduct.
- Potential for criminal prosecution under anti-graft laws and other applicable criminal laws.
- Other guideline violations classified as less grave offenses.
Repealing Clause
- Repeals or modifies inconsistent rules, regulations, and issuances.
Effectivity
- Circular takes effect 15 days after filing at the University of the Philippines Law Center in accordance with the Revised Administrative Code of 1987.