DILG rules vs LGU junkets to be stricter, say Sec Robredo

ILOILO CITY—The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is cracking down anew on junkets by local government officials and employees.

Interior Secretary Jesse Robredo on Tuesday said the DILG would issue a revised memorandum governing travel, training programs and educational tours by local government units (LGUs).

Speaking at a press conference after a forum on local governance here, Robredo said the new memorandum would be “more restrictive” compared to the one he issued in April.

The venue of seminars and training programs would be limited to areas within the immediate jurisdiction of the LGUs, instead of island regions as provided for by the April memorandum.

For instance, training programs of barangay officials should be held within their city or municipality, according to Robredo.

Study tours will also be closely monitored and evaluated especially if held outside the jurisdiction of the officials and employees.

“We will not prohibit travel but from now on lakbay aral (study tour) is really aral (for studying),” Robredo said.