Law Summary

Introduction

Executive Order No. 459, issued by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on September 1, 2005, aims to streamline the procedures for government officials and employees in seeking authority to travel abroad. This order amends previous regulations and introduces new guidelines to enhance administrative efficiency.

Background

• Previous Regulations:
  • EO No. 6 (March 12, 1986) and MC No. 18 (October 27, 1992) set earlier frameworks for travel authorization.
• Rationale for Change:
  • The need for a more efficient process to enable the Office of the President to manage governance matters effectively.

Travel Approval Requirements

• Section 1: High-Ranking Officials

  • Who Requires Approval:
    • Cabinet members and officials of equivalent rank.
    • Heads of GOCCs and GFIs attached to the Office of the President.
    • Heads of agencies under or attached to the Office of the President.

• Section 2: Other Officials and Employees

  • Approval Process:
    • All other government officials and employees must seek approval from their respective agency heads, irrespective of travel duration or delegate count.
    • Specific approval pathways:
      • Provincial Governors and Mayors of highly urbanized cities = Secretary of the Interior and Local Government.
      • Heads of state universities and colleges = Chairman of the Commission on Higher Education.
      • Officials of technical and vocational schools = Chairman of the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority.
  • Note: The Office of the President may still require any official or employee to seek approval directly from them.

Financial and Reporting Provisions

• Section 4: Reporting Requirements

  • Authorized approvers must submit quarterly reports to the Office of the President detailing:
    • Names of travelers.
    • Destinations.
    • Duration and purpose of travel.
    • Costs associated with travel.

• Section 5: Budget Utilization

  • Approvers can authorize travel expenditures up to 75% of their allocated travel budget.
  • Approval for any additional funds beyond this limit must be secured from the Office of the President.

Continuing Regulations

• Section 6: Retention of Existing Guidelines
  • EO No. 248 (May 29, 1995) and subsequent amendments remain in effect unless modified by this EO.

Repeal of Inconsistent Issuances

• Section 7: Amendments to Previous Orders
  • Any prior issuances inconsistent with EO No. 459 are repealed, amended, or modified accordingly.

Effectivity

• Section 8: Commencement
  • This Executive Order takes effect immediately upon its adoption.

Key Takeaways

• Executive Order No. 459 streamlines the travel approval process for government officials to enhance efficiency.
• High-ranking officials must seek approval from the Office of the President, while other officials will seek approval from respective agency heads.
• Quarterly reporting on travel is mandated for transparency and oversight.
• Approval for travel expenditures is limited to 75% of the allocated budget without further authorization.
• Existing travel regulations remain in effect unless explicitly modified by this order.