Not a Junket!

 

BMs, DEPT. HEADS U.S TRAVEL OK'd BY DILG

By Mortz C. Ortigoza

LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – It is not a foreign junket because the trip to the United States of the officials of the provincial government of Pangasinan has the approval of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), explained by the vice governor to reporters.

“We have an approved foreign travel authority from the DILG. Attached is the approved foreign travel authority of the various S.P members and department heads provincial government of Pangasinan for the travel to the United States participating in the 126 anniversary of the Philippines Independence, induction ceremonies of the officers of the association of the Pangasinenses of America including the benchmarking activities in New York and Washington D.C”, Vice Governor Mark Ronald D.G Lambino said while showing copies of documents in his office when asked if the June 1 to 9 U.S visit of the officials of the provincial government is a junket.

SOLONS. Members of the lawmaking body of the colossal province of Pangasinan leads by their immediate superior Vice Governor Mark Ronald D.G Lambino (5th from left, front row). Photo Credit: Board Member Vici Ventanilla

Junket is an extravagant trip enjoyed by a government official at the expense of the public funds.

Lambino said the foreign travel authority was signed and approved by DILG R1 Regional Director Jonathan Paul M. Leusen, Jr.

Although the events in the U.S ensue on June 1 to 9, delegates from Pangasinan will be travelling on May 31 while they would be coming back to the Philippines on June 10.

“Kasi may travel ban naman po,” the vice governor cited.

They will be going to the U.S because of the invitations by entities there.
Despite traveling abroad, Lambino stressed, they can still conduct online session there because they are on official business.

“Since we are travelling on official time technically we are on official business we can still conduct online session wala pang restriction doon dahil hindi naman naka vacation leave ang mga members ng board”.

He quoted an excerpt from the letter of the DILG which says:

“Please be informed that the joint requests are hereby approved on official time, from June 1 to June 9 (inaudible) proper exclusive of travel ban, subject to the provision of the DILG Memorandum Circular 2022-147 and other pertinent provision of the laws”.

Including the Vice Governor, are eleven members of the S.P and eight department heads that will fly to the U.S next week.

“Ang kasama po na magbe-benchmark po diyan will be the tourism officer, the S. B Secretary, the budget officer will be going, the planning officer, cooperative, PESO, and social welfare”.

Lambino explained that the imprimatur for a member of the lawmaking body to go for personal leave of absence, travel, and others comes from him “as their immediate supervisor” while official business like the June 1 to 9 travel to the U.S needs the approval of the DILG.

“Ito po ang pinaalam sa DILG, inaprobahan po ng DILG at kami po ang pinagtatrabaho pa rin ng DILG”.

Official travel according to the guidelines of the DILG shall cover the following criteria:
It is essential to the effective performance of an official or employee’s mandate or function; it is required to meet the needs of the LGU concerned, or there is a substantial benefit that can be derived; The presence of the official or employee is critical to the outcome of the meeting, conference, seminar, consulted or any official activity to be attended, and; The projected expenses involve minimum expenditure, and not excessive.