MANILA, Philippines — Local government officials and workers no longer need to present an authority to travel to immigration officers when going abroad.
However, the Bureau of Immigration said the new travel rules do not apply to governors and to mayors of highly urbanized and charter cities, who will still need to secure an authority to travel from the Department of Interior and Local Government “regardless of the nature, purpose and duration” of the trip.
The only time city and municipal mayors, vice mayors, provincial vice governors, and city and municipal councilors will be required to secure travel authorities is when they will be out of the country for more than three months.
Otherwise, they and all other local government personnel need to show only a copy of their approved leave application.
The new rule is the offshoot of a February 10 memorandum circular issued by former Interior Secretary Ismael Sueno.