Title
Rules for Official Foreign Travel Expenses
Law
Executive Order No. 401
Decision Date
Apr 26, 1990
Corazon C. Aquino's Executive Order No. 401 establishes updated rules and allowances for official travel abroad by government personnel, requiring prior presidential approval for high-ranking officials and outlining specific financial provisions for clothing, daily expenses, and representation costs to ensure dignified representation of the Philippines.
A

Approval Requirements

  • Travel by Department Secretaries, Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, and equivalent ranks requires President's prior approval.
  • Other officials require approval from their respective Department Secretaries or equivalents.

Nature and Purpose of Travel

  • Travel must be urgent, necessary, minimal in cost, and expected to provide immediate benefit to the country.
  • Permissible purposes include:
    • Attending conferences or seminars sponsored by foreign/international governments or private entities invited via their government.
    • Conducting official examinations or investigations.
    • Undertaking official missions not assignable to officials already abroad.

Transportation Provisions

  • If not provided by host/sponsor, official transportation shall be economy class unless otherwise specified.

Clothing Allowance

  • Officials granted clothing allowance by rank:
    • $400 for highest rank officials (e.g. Department Secretaries).
    • $350 for certain high-level officials.
    • $300 for heads of primary units and others.
  • Allowance granted once every 24 months, with certification.
  • If previous allowance was less, difference can be granted.

Daily Allowance and Hotel Expense Reimbursement

  • Daily allowance and hotel reimbursement limits specified by rank, ranging from $100 to $50 daily.
  • Allowance covers subsistence, local transportation, incidental expenses.
  • Allowance granted for official trip duration including travel time (computed by most direct route).
  • Extensions requiring detours are not chargeable.
  • In exceptional cases, actual hotel expenses reimbursed for highest-ranking officials with prior presidential approval.

Representation Expenses

  • Delegations may incur necessary representation expenses to uphold the country's prestige.
  • Expenses include entertainment, contributions, flowers, wreaths, etc., with prior presidential approval.

Applicability to Personnel Posted Abroad

  • Officials already posted abroad may avail of allowances for travel outside their post with departmental approval.
  • No supplemental budget should be requested.

Reporting Requirements

  • Officials must submit a report with recommendations within 30 days of return to head of office, department head, and Office of the President.
  • Failure to submit report may result in disciplinary actions.

Insurance Reimbursement

  • Reimbursement for accident insurance premiums allowed up to Php 200,000 for official travel duration.
  • Insurance on personal or household effects is not reimbursable.

Allowance Differential

  • If host government provides a lower per diem, government will pay only the difference.

Funding and Accountability

  • Expenses charged against the appropriation of the official's office, subject to fund availability.
  • Officials must render accounts of cash advances within 60 days of return.
  • Non-compliance may cause suspension of salary payment.

Implementing Authority

  • Secretary of Budget and Management tasked to issue rules for effective implementation.

Repealing Provisions

  • Inconsistent provisions of previous executive orders (EO No. 129, EO No. 421, EO No. 367) are revoked.
  • Cabinet resolution on overseas travel expenses from 1986 is revoked.

Effectivity

  • The Order takes effect immediately upon issuance.

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