MANILA, Philippines – Pinahintulutan ni Pangulong Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. ang Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary na magtalaga ng ibang department official na mag-aapruba sa foreign travel requests ng mga local government officials, bahagi ito ng pagsisikap na gawing mas mabilis ang ‘government process.’
“Administration Order No. 47 amends a 1992 order delegating some of the president’s supervisory powers to the DILG chief, including approving of foreign travel of local government officials,” ayon sa ulat.
Sinasabi sa kautusan na layon ng pagsusog na gawing mas ‘responsive’ ang travel applications sa gitna ng dumaraming requests at lumalagong demands ng regional coordination.
“Considering the volume of travel requests and the increasing demands of regional coordination, there is a need to refine approval processes to ensure responsiveness amid contemporary government realities, strengthen government systems and improve bureaucratic efficiency, while also maintaining sufficient oversight and supervision over local governments,” ang mababasa sa kautusan, nilagdaan noong Hulyo 30.
Sa ilalim ng Republic Act 7160, o Local Government Code, “local officials must secure approval from the Office of the President for foreign travel exceeding three months, undertaken during periods of emergency or crisis, or involving the use of public funds.”
Binigyang bisa ng AO 267 ang kapangyarihan ng Pangulo na mag-apruba gaya ng requests sa DILG secretary. Pinapayagan ngayon ng AO 47 ang DILG chief na ipatupad ang kapangyarihan na magtalaga ng kinatawan para gawing mas simple at mas mabilis na pagproseso.
Ang AO 47 ay kagyat na magiging epektibo sa oras na mailathala na sa Official Gazette o sa isang pahayagan na general circulation. (KRIS JOSE)
