THE Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) is set to review the guidelines on government-funded travel of local officials, including Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) members, following public backlash over an SK delegation’s Thailand trip.
Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla on Wednesday said the “capacity development” and “international benchmarking” activities of SK officials from Manila, financed through SK funds, have raised concerns about accountability and the proper use of public money.
Photos and posts from participants, showing their leisure activities abroad, drew sharp criticism from netizens, who dismissed the trip as a junket.
“Maybe it’s time to review the policy to ensure that all travel, if government-funded, is legitimate and serves a specific purpose,” Remulla said, noting that the DILG will issue a memorandum circular to clarify funding rules and required clearances for official travel.
Drawing from his experience as Cavite governor, Remulla added he never permitted overseas training programs, stressing that local capacity-building should be sufficient.
“What surprised me most was how they openly flaunted their good time. It reflects a culture of trying to impress, which is what sparked the controversy,” he said.
The policy review aims to ensure stricter oversight on the use of government funds.
