DSWD Implementing Rules and Regulations on Executive Order No. 77

June 11, 2019

DSWD ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER NO. 13, S. 2019

 

SECTION 1. Introduction. — This Implementing Rules and Regulations, hereinafter called the IRR, is promulgated pursuant to Section 21 of Executive Order (EO) No. 77, dated March 15, 2019, Prescribing Rules and Regulations and Rates of Expenses and Allowances for Official Local and Foreign Travels of officials and employees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development. HTcADC

This IRR is issued in order to (a) provide additional safeguards best suited to the Department, (b) address the Department peculiarities, and (c) ensure the judicious use of public funds. This is only supplemental to EO No. 77 and shall be read together with the said issuance.

SECTION 2. Legal Bases. —

1. Executive Order No. 77 dated March 15, 2019 — Prescribing Rules and Regulations and Rates of Expenses and Allowances for Official Local and Foreign Travels of Government Personnel;

2. Section 17 (c), General Provisions of the General Appropriations Act for CY 2018;

3. Commission on Audit (COA) Circular No. 2017-001 dated June 19, 2017 — Reimbursement of expenses not requiring official receipts;

4. DSWD Administrative Order (AO) No. 8, series of 2018 dated April 6, 2018 — Delegation and Delineation of Authority;

5. COA Circular No. 2012-001 dated June 14, 2012 — Prescribing the Revised Guidelines and Documentary Requirements for Common Government Transactions; CAIHTE

6. Civil Service Commission (CSC) Memorandum Circular No. 12, Series of 2012 — Amendment of Rule V of CSC Resolution No. 04-0676 dated June 17, 2004 (Policy Guidelines to Govern the Liquidation of Cash Advances and the Penalty to be Impose for Failure of an Accountable Officer to Liquidate within the Prescribed Period).

SECTION 3. Authorized Official Travel. —

1. Official local or foreign travels and assignments under this Order shall cover only those which meet the following criteria:

a. It is essential to the effective performance of an official or employee's mandates or functions;

b. It is required to meet the needs of the department or there is substantial benefit to be derived by the State;

c. The presence of the official or employee is critical to the outcome of the meeting, conference, seminar, consultation or any official activity to be attended; and aScITE

d. The projected expenses are not excessive or involve minimum expenditure.

2. All forms of communications, such as but not limited to the following, must be explored as alternatives to travel, provided that they do not compromise national security and confidentiality of official communications.

a. Teleconferencing;

b. Video conferencing; and

c. Submission of briefs and/or position papers.

 The personnel involved must submit justifications, recommended by his/her immediate supervisor, for the need to travel instead of other available forms of communication. The approving authority, as far as practicable, must minimize travel costs.

3. The following individuals shall not be issued foreign travel authorities and shall not be entitled to government funding for such trips: aDSIHc

a. Private individuals;

b. Consultants of, and/or those engaged by way of contract of service by, government agencies, except in highly meritorious circumstances (e.g., unavailability of qualified employees in highly technical or specialized fields), and upon written justification submitted to the Office of the Secretary; and

c. Spouses or children of government officials, except when diplomatic protocol or established international practices provide otherwise.

I. OFFICIAL LOCAL TRAVEL OF OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES

SECTION 4. Approval of Local Travels. —

1. The official local travel of the Secretary in pursuance of the functions of their respective offices, irrespective of the number of days, need not be approved by higher authorities;

2. The official local travels of officials and employees for less than thirty (30) days and payment of their corresponding travel expenses shall be approved by authorized signatories pursuant to the delegation of authority;

3. The official local travels of Central Office officials and employees, Regional Directors and Assistant Regional Directors for thirty (30) days or more and payment of their corresponding travel expenses shall be approved by the DSWD Secretary. In Field Office, the 30 days travel of officers and employees shall be approved by the Regional Director; HEITAD

4. The purpose, necessity and duration of the travel (inclusive of travel time), instead of utilizing other forms of communications, should be clearly specified in the Special Order/Travel Order.

5. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Office of the President (OP) is not precluded from requiring any official or employee to secure authority for local travel from said Office or from another approving authority to be designated by it.

6. Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) or Contract of Service (COS) workers Job Orders and Consultant may be allowed to travel locally if explicitly stated in their MOAs or contracts with the Department and be entitled to the rates of expenses and allowances provided in this IRR and subject to the availability of funds. These shall be required for those MOA signed after the issuance of this IRR.

SECTION 5. Travel Beyond 50-Kilometer Radius from the Permanent Official Station. — Official local travel to destinations beyond the 50-kilometer radius from the permanent official station shall be allowed the following expenses:

1. Transportation Expenses and Miscellaneous Expenses. The allowable transportation expenses and reasonable miscellaneous expenses (e.g., terminal fees, parking fees, road tolls, etc.) from the permanent official station to the destination or place of assignment shall only cover the following areas: ATICcS

a. From the office or residence to the point of embarkation, and vice versa;

b. From the point of embarkation to the point of disembarkation in the place of destination, and vice versa; and

c. From the point of disembarkation to the office of destination or place of assignment in the field, and vice versa.

2. Inland transportation costs shall not be allowed and shall be considered part of the incidental expenses component of the Daily Travel Expenses (DTE) under Section 5 (3) of this IRR. For travels to rural areas and their barangays in the Field Offices where there are no established means of transportation and when inland transportation costs exceed the 20% incidental expenses component of the DTE, the official or employee may be allowed to claim for an additional transportation cost in excess of 20% incidental expenses upon submission of the following:

a. Certification from the Local Government Unit (LGU), signed by the Local Chief Executive, of the prevailing maximum rate of transportation in the area; and

b. Submission of justifications certified by the Secretary, or the authorized representative, as absolutely necessary in the performance of an assignment (Annex A).

 

	PREPARED BY	APPROVED BY
Central Office	Undersecretaries	Secretary
Assistant Secretary and Below	Undersecretary
Field Office	Assistant Regional Director and Below	Regional Director

 

 The transportation expenses and reasonable miscellaneous expenses under this provision incurred for travel between different Municipalities/Cities shall be in addition to the DTE under Section 5 (3) of this IRR. ETHIDa

 Illustration:

 

AREAS OF TRAVEL

ALLOWABLE TRANSPORTATION COST

FROM	TO
City/Municipality A	City/Municipality B	Actual Transportation Cost
Barangay 1 (City/Municipality A)	Barangay 2 (City/Municipality A)	(1) NONE, If less than or equal to the 20% of the DTE   (2) Excess of 20% of the DTE (upon submission of the official receipt/AR and Certification — Annex C)
Barangay 1 (City/Municipality A)	Barangay 1 (City/Municipality B)	Actual Transportation Cost

 

 Personnel concerned shall not be entitled to transportation expenses for the entire trip or portion of such trip where government vehicle was used.

 If a private vehicle is used, no reimbursement of the cost of gasoline and fuel shall be allowed. The official or employee concerned, however, is entitled to the equivalent cost of the customary mode of transportation and shall attach a certification for the purpose (Annex B).

3. Daily Travel Expenses.

a. The maximum allowable DTE of officials and employees, regardless of rank and position, shall be at the following rates:

 

Destination	Maximum DTE
Regions I, II, III, V, VIII, IX, XII, XIII, and ARMM	P1,500.00
Regions CAR, VI, VII, X, and XI	P1,800.00
Regions NCR, IVA, and IVB	P2,200.00

 

b. Claims for payment of DTE as provided under Section 5 (3) (a) hereof shall not require presentation of bills and receipts.

c. Apportioned Travel Expenses. The allowable DTE for travel beyond the 50-kilometer radius from the permanent official station shall be based on the following apportionment:

 

Particulars	Percentage	To Cover
Day of arrival at point of destination (regardless of time) and succeeding day/s thereof on official business	100%	Hotel/lodging (50%); Meals (30%); and Incidental Expenses (20%)
Day of departure for permanent official station (regardless of time) if other than date of arrival	50%	Meals (30%); and Incidental Expenses (20%)

 

d. In case of travel exceeding one day for the purpose of delivery of welfare goods for distribution, the officers and employees are allowed for the following: TIADCc

 

Particulars	Percentage	To Cover
Day of departure from the permanent official station	50%	Meals (30%); Incidental Expenses (20%)
Succeeding days of travel before arrival at point of Destination	50%	Meals (30%); and Incidental Expenses (20%)
Day of arrival at point of destination (regardless of time) and succeeding day/s thereof on official business	100%	Hotel/lodging (50%); Meals (30%); and Incidental Expenses (20%)
Day of departure for permanent official station (regardless of time) and succeeding days of travel until arrival at the permanent official station	50%	Meals (30%); and Incidental Expenses (20%)

 

 The entitlement for the above DTE shall be indicated in the approved Special Order/Travel Order in order to consider claims valid.

e. Travel Expenses in Excess of Authorized Travel Rates. Claims for reimbursement of actual accommodation expenses (excluding expenses for valets, room attendants, laundry, pressing, haircuts, and similar services furnished by hotels) in excess of the accommodation component of the DTE may be allowed, but in no case shall the difference exceed one hundred per cent (100%) of such component of the prescribed DTE rate, and only upon:

i. Presentation of bills and receipts from Department of Tourism (DoT)-accredited accommodations.

ii. Submission of justifications certified by the Secretary, or the authorized representative, as absolutely necessary in the performance of an assignment (Annex C).

iii. Submission of justifications certified by officials above, when bills and receipts presented are not from a DoT-accredited accommodations.

 

	PREPARED BY	APPROVED BY
Central Office	Above Division Chief	Immediate Supervisor
	Division Chief and Below	Head of Office, Bureau, or Service
Field Office	Above Division Chief	Regional Director
	Division Chief and Below	ARD concerned

 

f. Precluding Double Payment of Travel Expenses. To preclude double payment, only the incidental expenses equivalent to 20% of the DTE, shall be allowed when the fare paid for transportation includes meals and/or quarters en route, or where meals and/or lodging are paid for or furnished by the government or other parties. cSEDTC

 As a proof, original signed Certificate of Appearance, using only the form attached as Annex D, must be obtained from each parties visited during all types of travels regardless of the distance and should specify provisions or non-provisions of hotel/lodging, meals and/or vehicles. Other forms of Certificate of Appearance shall not be honored.

SECTION 6. Travel within the 50-Kilometer Radius from the Permanent Official Station. —

1. Personnel on official travel who commute daily from the place of assignment to the place of residence or permanent official station shall be allowed the following expenses:

a. Actual fare, upon presentation of official receipt, if applicable, at the prevailing rates of authorized modes of transportation from the permanent official station to the place of assignment and back;

b. Meals, upon presentation of official receipt, in an amount not exceeding the thirty per cent (30%) of the authorized meal component (30%) of the DTE as indicated in Section 5 (3) (c) hereof.

 Illustration:

 For one-day travel within the 50-km radius, commuting daily, without any provision.

 

Cluster	DTE	Entitlement (upon presentation of receipts)
I	1,500	Actual fare + P135
II	1,800	Actual fare + P162
III	2,200	Actual fare + P198

 

 For one-day travel within the 50-km radius, commuting daily with LUNCH provided.

 

Cluster	DTE	Entitlement (upon presentation of receipts)
I	1,500	Actual Fare
II	1,800
III	2,200

 

2. Personnel on official travel to a place outside the city/municipality of residence or permanent official station, may opt to stay in the place of assignment and not commute daily from the place of assignment to the place of residence or permanent official station and back, provided that a request supported by justification/s for the same has been provided by the official or employee and approved by the following officials prior to the travel (Annex E).

 

	PREPARED BY	APPROVED BY
Central Office	Above Division Chief	Immediate Supervisor
Division Chief and Below	Head of Office, Bureau, or Service
Field Office	Above Division Chief	Regional Director
Division Chief and Below	ARD concerned

 

The following expenses shall then be allowed.

a. Actual fare, upon presentation of official receipt, if applicable, at the prevailing rates of authorized modes of transportation under Section 5 (1) to (2), AIDSTE

b. DTE under Section 5 (3) (c),

 The claim for hotel/lodging expense shall be substantiated by a hotel bill or invoice to prove that the official or employee stayed in the place of assignment for the whole duration of the official travel. For Field Offices claims, if the officers and employees stayed in the Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDA), the Acknowledgement Receipt (AR) may be allowed.

3. The 50-kilometer radius distance shall be computed by the Accounting Division based on google map or other distance calculator applications.

SECTION 7. Mode of Transportation. —

1. As a general rule, only the ordinary public conveyance or customary modes of transportation shall be used, which in all cases shall be the most economical and efficient.

The use of chartered trips, special hires of public utilities, garage cars, water vessels, and other extraordinary means of transportation shall not be allowed unless justified by the prevailing circumstances, such as but not limited to:

a. Carrying large amounts of cash, bulky equipment and important documents;

b. Inclement weather;

c. Accompanying dignitaries or high level government officials; or

d. When time is of the essence.

The justification shall be in a separate sheet (Annex F) signed by the following:

 

	PREPARED BY	APPROVED BY
Central Office	Above Division Chief	Immediate Supervisor
Division Chief and Below	Head of Office, Bureau, or Service
Field Office	Above Division Chief	Regional Director
Division Chief and Below	ARD concerned

 

2. Transportation expenses incurred by government officials and employees in the discharge of their official functions amounting to Php300.00 or less need not be supported by official receipts, except for payment of fares in public utility vehicles issuing receipts such as bus, train, vessel/ship, taxi, TNS etc. Certification of Expenses Not Requiring Receipts shall be attached as supporting document per COA Circular No. 2017-001 (ANNEX G).

3. Claims for taxi fares must be presented with tape/official receipts as this will be the determining amount of the claim. If in case, however, that no tape receipt was issued despite demand from taxi drivers the Reimbursement Expense Receipt (RER) form (ANNEX H) must be attached indicating the reason for non-issuance of Official Receipt. SDAaTC

In the absence of such official receipt, amount computed using the Taxi Fare Rates (vary as updated), as provided by LTFRB, shall be considered as the maximum fare allowed in the review and pre-audit of the claims. In such case, the RER must specify the complete details required by the form.

4. Surge charges for Transportation Network Companies (TNC) fares as indicated in the official receipt is not allowed. The additional charge (regardless of the amount) is considered as excessive as it exceeded the usual or proper expense. No justification shall be allowed to claim surge charges.

5. Deviations in the regular route of travel (e.g., Airport to Central Office to Residence instead of airport to residence) and its corresponding cost of transportation shall be borne by the concerned DSWD personnel.

6. Documentary Requirements to Claim Reimbursements for Traveling Expenses (Local travel)

✓ Approved Itinerary of Travel;

✓ Certificate of Travel Completed;

✓ Certification by the Head of the Agency as to the Absolute necessity of the expenses together with the corresponding bills or receipts, if the expenses incurred for official travel exceeded the prescribed rate per day (certification or affidavit of loss shall not be considered as an appropriate replacement of the required hotel/lodging bills and receipts);

✓ Reimbursement Expense Receipt (RER);

✓ Paper/electronic plane, bus, taxi or boat tickets/receipts;

✓ Parking and toll fee tickets/receipts;

✓ Boarding pass and terminal fee ticket;

✓ Certificate of Appearance/Attendance;

✓ Certificate of Provision/Non-provision of food and accommodation;

✓ Office Order/Travel Order/Authority to Travel;

✓ Copy of previously approved Itinerary of Travel used in Cash Advance (if applicable);

✓ Liquidation Report (if applicable);

✓ Official Receipt (OR) in case of refund of excess cash advance (if applicable);

✓ Justification for the use of extra ordinary means of transportation, (applicable).

II. OFFICIAL FOREIGN TRAVEL OF OFFICIALS AND EMPLOYEES

SECTION 8. Types of Foreign Travels. — Foreign travels authorized under Section 3 of this IRR shall refer only to those under the following categories:

1. International conferences or meetings to which the Philippine Government has commitments, or to undertake official missions/assignments which cannot be assigned to government officials posted abroad; AaCTcI

2. Scholarships, fellowships, trainings, and studies abroad which are grant-funded or undertaken at minimal cost to the Department; and

3. Invitations for speaking engagements or receiving of awards from foreign government/institutions or international agencies/organizations as defined under international law, whether fully or partially funded by the Department, upon the endorsement of the DFA.

In case of trips involving delegations, the number of participants must be kept to the barest minimum and the role of each member in the delegation must clearly specified and justified in the travel application or proposal for submission to the approving authority specified in Section 9.

SECTION 9. Approval of Foreign Travels. — All foreign travels of officials and employees must be coursed through the Human Resource Management and Development Service (HRMDS) with the following supporting documents:

1. Approved travel endorsement or proposal from the Office of the Secretary reflecting therein the specific role of each official and/or employee for in the delegation for the foreign travel;

2. Invitation from sponsoring organizations including the administrative notes reflecting therein the important information for the travel such as but not limited to the purpose, duration, venue, accommodation, and provisions from sponsors;

3. Certification from the official and/or employee that he/she is not due to retire within one year after the foreign travel;

4. Certification from the Accountant that the official or employee has no pending cash advance for previous foreign travel/s;

5. Plane tickets if already available.

Regardless of the length of travels abroad and the number of delegates, official foreign travels, as endorsed by the HRMDS, and payment of travel expenses shall be approved by the following officials:

 

PERSONNEL ON FOREIGN TRAVEL	APPROVING AUTHORITY
Department Secretary	Office of the President
DSWD Officials and Employees	Department Secretary

 

Notwithstanding the foregoing approving authorities, the Office of the President (OP) is not precluded from requiring any official or employee to secure authority to travel abroad from said Office or from another approving authority to be designated by it.

SECTION 10. Pre-Departure Expenses and Return Trip Fees. —

1. Pre-departure expenses not exceeding P3,500.00 shall be allowed to cover miscellaneous expenses for taxicab fare, passport processing, immunization and medical laboratory fees, photographs, porterage, airport terminal fees, if any, and other related expenses. acEHCD

2. Likewise, reimbursement of airport terminal fees imposed at the point/s of embarkation on the return trip to the Philippines, if any, shall be allowed upon completion of the official trip.

SECTION 11. Transportation Expenses. — In case the officials and employees authorized to travel abroad shall not be provided with transportation by the host country or sponsoring organization, they shall be allowed transportation expenses for the economy class, which for purposes of this IRR does not include premium economy class.

For long-haul trips, described as flights exceeding four (4) hours without counting lay-overs, of Department Secretary, Undersecretaries, Assistant Secretaries, business class airfares may be authorized, subject to approval of the OP.

SECTION 12. Clothing Allowance. —

1. Clothing allowance shall be granted to personnel on foreign travel in tropical countries or temperate countries for the period coinciding with the summer and spring seasons, regardless of the nature of travel, if the travel will last for more than one (1) month.

The clothing allowance shall be granted on pro-rated basis, as follows:

 

Duration of Stay	Amount
More than one (1) month but less than three (3) months	US$200.00
Three (3) months and more but less than six (6) months	US$300.00
Six (6) months and more	US$400.00

 

Provided, however, that the clothing allowance in connection with study trips to tropical countries shall not exceed US$300.00.

2. When the travel to temperate countries, regardless of the nature of travel, coincides with the autumn or winter seasons, the clothing allowance shall be granted as follows:

 

Duration of Stay	Amount
Two (2) weeks or less	US$200.00
More than two (2) weeks but less than one (1) month	US$300.00
One (1) month and more	US$400.00

 

3. Grantees provided by donor institutions with clothing allowance at rates equal to or higher than those indicated above shall no longer be granted said allowance by the government agency concerned.

4. When the clothing allowance granted by the donor is less than the rates indicated above, the personnel concerned may be given the difference. EcTCAD

5. The clothing allowance may be granted more than once in every twenty four (24) months. In no instance, however, shall the total clothing allowance exceed US$400.00 within a twenty four (24)-month period.

6. Applicable rate of clothing allowance shall be based on the season officially declared by the authorized agency in the country of destination. In case the travel dates span two seasons or coincide with the change of seasons, the prescribed rates of clothing allowance shall be based on the season corresponding to the most number of days of authorized stay.

SECTION 13. Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA). —

1. Those who travel abroad shall be granted the DSA based on the daily rates established by the International Civil Service Commission (ICSC) of the United Nations which may be accessed at www.undp.org.ph or at www.dfa.gov.ph of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

When the country of destination is not listed therein, the DSA for the nearest country shall be adopted. When the city of destination is not listed therein, the "elsewhere" rate established for the country shall be adopted.

2. The DSA shall only start upon arrival at the country of destination and shall cease upon departure therefrom, at the following percentages:

 

Particulars	Percentage	To Cover
Day of arrival at point of destination (regardless of time) and succeeding day/s thereof on official business	100%	Hotel/lodging (50%); Meals (30%); and Incidental expenses (20%)
Day of departure for permanent official station (regardless of time) if other than date of arrival	50%	Meals (30%); and Incidental expenses (20%)

 

3. If hotel/lodging, meals and incidental expenses are provided by the host country or donor institution, the DSA shall not be allowed. SDHTEC

4. Claims for payment of DSA as provided under Section 13 (1) and (2) hereof shall not require presentation of bills and receipts.

5. Subject to the approval of the Department Secretary, claims for reimbursement of actual accommodation expenses in excess of the accommodation component of the DSA may be allowed, but in no case shall the difference exceed thirty percent (30%) of such component of the prescribed DSA rate, which is 50% of the DSA, and only upon certification by the head of agency as absolutely necessary in the performance of an assignment and presentation of bills and receipts. An affidavit of loss shall not be considered as appropriate replacement for the required bills and receipts.

6. Documentary Requirements to Claim Reimbursements for Traveling Expenses (Foreign travel):

✓ Approved Itinerary of Travel;

✓ Certificate of Travel Completed;

✓ Paper/electronic plane, bus or boat tickets;

✓ Boarding pass and terminal fee ticket;

✓ Certificate of Appearance/Attendance for training/seminar/participation;

✓ Office Order/Travel Order/Authority to Travel;

✓ Taxi Receipts;

✓ Justification for the use of extra ordinary means of transportation (if applicable);

✓ Others:

➢ Bills/receipts for non-commutable representation expenses approved by the President

➢ Revised Itinerary of Travel, if applicable

➢ Narrative report on trip undertaken/Report of Participation

➢ Official Receipt (OR) in case of refund of excess cash advance (if applicable)

➢ Liquidation Report (if applicable)

➢ For reimbursement of actual travel expenses in excess of the prescribed rate;

• Approval by the President

• Certification from the Head of Agency that it is absolutely necessary

• Hotel room bills with official receipts (certification of affidavit of loss shall not be considered as an appropriate replacement for the required hotel/lodging bills and receipts)

SECTION 14. Payment of DSA Differential. —

1. Where personnel on travel abroad, to attend international conferences or meetings or to undertake official missions or assignments, are provided by the host government with DSA and allowances lower than those prescribed in this IRR, such personnel shall only be entitled to the difference. HSAcaE

2. Personnel on scholarships, fellowships, trainings, workshops, and study grants abroad shall not be allowed payment of DSA differentials.

SECTION 15. Reimbursement of Representation Expenses. —

1. The following officials, who are authorized to attend international conferences or meetings or undertake official missions or assignments in the exigency of the service, may be entitled to reimbursement of actual reasonable representation expenses not exceeding the following rates, subject to the approval of the authorities listed under Section 9 of this IRR, based on justifications presented and upon presentation of bills and receipts:

a. Department Secretary — US$1,000.00;

b. Department Undersecretaries, if they are designated as head of the delegation — US$700.00;

c. Department Assistant Secretaries, if they are designated as head of the delegation — US$500.00; and

d. Those holding positions lower than an Assistant Secretary level who are designated as head of the delegation — US$300.00.

 Such expenses may cover necessary entertainment, contributions, flowers, wreaths, and the like, when justified by circumstances and in conformity with generally accepted customs, usages, and practices.

2. Officials on travel abroad for speaking engagements, and for scholarships, fellowships, trainings, workshops and studies, and those whose travels are fully funded by donors or sponsoring organizations, shall not be allowed reimbursement of representation expenses.

SECTION 16. Scholarships, Fellowships, Trainings, and Studies Abroad. — Expenses of government agencies related to such travels abroad shall be limited only to pre-departure expenses since donor countries/organizations/institutions shall pay for airfares, school/training fees, accommodations, health insurance, and stipend. In cases where airfares and clothing allowance will not be shouldered by the donors, the government agency concerned may pay the same, subject to the provisions of the memoranda of agreement or any similar document that may be entered into by and between the donor and the said agency, and of this IRR.

SECTION 17. Insurance. — Only personnel on foreign travel pursuant to this IRR may be entitled to travel insurance at the minimum amount required by the country of destination, depending on the duration of the official travel or a travel coverage of P500,000.00 if there is no minimum coverage set by a country.

The HRMDS shall ensure that all officials and employees travelling in foreign countries are covered with travel insurance policy.

III. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

SECTION 18. Prohibition against Junkets of Government Officials and Employees. — All forms of travel junkets, including but not limited to the following, is strictly prohibited. The conduct of strategic planning workshops or team building activities abroad shall not be allowed. The taking of a personal leave immediately before or after the official activity is highly discouraged. If travel circumstances, such as the nature of activity, purpose and itinerary, indicate that the trip is mainly intended for personal purposes, no part thereof shall be considered as official.

SECTION 19. Travel in Connection with Official Duties Paid for by a Private Source. — Official foreign trips partially or fully sponsored or funded by private corporations or private individuals shall be fully disclosed. AScHCD

No official or personal travel of government officials and employees shall be funded directly or indirectly, fully or partially, by private individuals, including suppliers or contractors, with pending request/s or application/s or future dealings with the Department concerned. HRMDS shall ensure the observance of this provision and shall only endorse official foreign travels, which are compliant to this provision, to approving authorities.

This prohibition applies to invitations to travel purportedly to undertake study or assessment of the proponents' capabilities as such contractors or suppliers.

SECTION 20. The Regional Directors may issue internal guidelines, not otherwise inconsistent herewith, in order to (1) provide additional safeguards as are best suited to the condition of the Region; (2) address regional peculiarities; and (3) ensure the judicious use of public funds.

SECTION 21. Rendition of Account on Cash Advances and Sanction. —

1. Within two (2) calendar months after the return of an official or employee to the Philippines, in the case of official travel abroad, or within one (1) calendar month of his/her return to permanent official station in the case of official local travel, such official or employee shall render an account of the cash advance received in accordance with existing applicable rules and regulations.

2. Refund of excess cash advance must in Philippine currency computed at the BSP rate used at the day of refund.

3. No foreign travels with government funding shall be allowed for those who have not liquidated their expenses for previous government-funded travels abroad.

4. The failure to render an account in full within the periods prescribed and after formal demand shall constitute the administrative offense of Gross Neglect of duty punishable by dismissal from the service for the first offense.

5. Full liquidation/settlement/payment of the cash advance outside the given periods shall constitute the offense of Simple Neglect of Duty punishable by suspension from the service for one month and one day to six months for the first offense, and dismissal from service for the second offense.

SECTION 22. Reportorial Requirements and Sanction. —

1. Within one (1) calendar month after returning to the permanent official station, every personnel authorized to travel under this IRR shall submit to the Secretary copy furnished the HRMDS a report with recommendations, if any, on the conference or seminar attended, examination or investigation conducted, or mission undertaken. HESIcT

2. In case of participation in an international conference or convention in which the Philippines is represented by a delegation, a report of the delegation shall be submitted to the OP through the HRMDS and the Department Secretary, copy furnished the Secretary of the DFA, not later than one (1) calendar month after the closing of the conference or convention. Any member of the delegation may also submit a supplementary report.

3. Violation of the provisions of this Section shall subject the officials or employees concerned to disciplinary action.

SECTION 23. Period to Claim Reimbursements for Travelling Expenses. — Within two (2) calendar months after the return of an official or employee to the Philippines, in the case of official travel abroad; or within one (1) calendar month of his/her return to permanent official station in the case of official local travel, such official or employee must file claims for reimbursements for traveling expenses with the Finance and Management Service or Divisions; however, for December claims, it shall not later than the set deadline for the submission of financial claims at the end of the year.

Travel expenses not filed for claims within specified dates shall not be processed.

SECTION 24. Transitory Provisions. — For FY 2019, all DSWD Offices, Bureaus and Services shall revisit its Work and Financial Plan (WFP), revise the budget parameters for traveling expenses and submit on or before the deadline set by the FMS/FMD. All claims under the new rates will be allowed starting April 1, 2019, provided, that (1) the period of travel is covered by the new budget parameters for traveling expenses as indicated in the revised WFP; and (2) the revised WFP is submitted on or before the deadline.

When the revised WFP is still not submitted even after the deadline, all claims filed prior to submission of the revised WFP shall be processed using the old rates, subject to the provisions of Section 22 hereof.

SECTION 25. Separability Clause. — If any part or provision of this IRR shall be held unconstitutional or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof which are not affected shall continue to be in full force and effect. AcICHD

SECTION 26. Effectivity. — This IRR shall take effect immediately.

(SGD.) ROLANDO JOSELITO D. BAUTISTADSWD Secretary

ANNEX A(Actual Transportation Expense)

Certification

 

ANNEX B(Use of Private Vehicle)

Certification

 

ANNEX C(Actual Hotel Accommodation)

Certification

 

ANNEX D(Provision/Non-Provision of Food, Board and Lodging)

Department of Social Welfare and Development

 

ANNEX E

Request Form to Stay in the Place of Assignment within 50-km Radius from Permanent Official Station

 

ANNEX F

Justification for the Use of Extraordinary Means of Transportation

 

ANNEX G

Certification of Expenses Not Requiring Receipts

 

ANNEX H

Reimbursement Expense Receipt

 

Executive Order No. 77March 15, 2019