MANILA, Philippines – Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla said on Tuesday that the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) will review policies on government-funded travel for local officials.
This comes after members of the Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) in Manila received criticism over their trip to Thailand. The posts from Manila’s SK officials, which showcased their “capacity development” and “international benchmarking” activities in Thailand, drew backlash from netizens who dismissed the trip as a junket.
Remulla said the review will focus on ensuring public funds are used for legitimate purposes.
“Maybe it’s time to review the policy to ensure that all travel, if government-funded, is legitimate and serves a specific purpose,” he told reporters.
The DILG chief said a memorandum circular is being drafted to clarify funding sources and clearance requirements for such travels.
“We need to carefully examine the language, particularly when it comes to where the funds should or should not come from. We also need to specify the clearances required for such trips,” Remulla said.
Citing his past experience as Cavite governor, Remulla noted he never approved overseas training programs, stressing that domestic options are sufficient.
“Training and capacity-building abroad, I don’t think that’s necessary,” he said, adding that what worsened public perception was how the participants flaunted their trip on social media. “It’s part of a larger culture of trying to impress others, and that’s ultimately what led to all of this,” he added.
