Duterte bans govt junkets

PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has issued an executive order (EO) prohibiting government officials and employees from going on junkets abroad.

Under EO 77, official local or foreign travels and assignments would only be allowed if these were essential to the effective performance of an official or employee’s mandates or functions; if they were required to meet the needs of the department or government offices; if the presence of the official or employee was critical to the outcome of the meeting, conference, seminar, consultation or any official activity to be attended, and if projected expenses were not excessive.