Ched Rick Gatchalian

This aerial photo shows damaged vehicles in the aftermath of Typhoon Tino in Talamban, in the province of Cebu on November 5, 2025. Jam Sta. Rosa, AFP/File 

 

Article (news)

18 LGU officials left PH despite travel ban due to typhoons, 7 left without foreign travel authority— DILG

Harlene Delgado

ABS-CBN News

<p>MANILA — A total of 25 local government officials left the country despite the travel ban order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) due to the anticipated onslaught of the recent typhoons.</p><p>According to information shared by Malacañang, citing the DILG, 18 officials who have secured foreign travel authority departed the country despite the cancellation.</p><p>Meanwhile, seven left the country even without the appropriate foreign travel authority.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/nation/2025/11/12/24-lgu-officials-left-ph-without-foreign-travel-authority-before-typhoons-dilg-1031">24 LGU officials left PH without foreign travel authority before typhoons - DILG</a></div><p>Earlier, DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla disclosed that 24 local government officials could face administrative charges for leaving the country without a foreign travel authority despite a travel ban imposed by the agency.</p><p>The Secretary of the DILG is the approving authority for foreign travel authorities of all local government officials — regardless of position — for unofficial and official trips when the travel period extends to more than three months or during periods of emergency or crisis.</p><p>This was based on the agency’s Memorandum Circular 2025-023 which laid out the guidelines in the use of foreign travel authority online system application.</p><p>Under Republic Act No. 7160 or the Local Government Code of the Philippines, governors, mayors and members of local councils are mandated to head disaster aid and relief efforts in their respective jurisdiction.</p><p>Republic Act No. 10121 or the Philippine Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Act underscores that local officials’ are liable to organize and supervise their local disaster risk reduction and management offices during calamities.</p><div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/regions/2025/11/10/dilg-to-probe-cebu-officials-who-went-abroad-despite-tino-threat-1520">Palace probing local officials who traveled abroad despite Tino, Uwan onslaught</a></div><p>The law notes that those who will be proven to have committed dereliction of duty could face a fine between P50,000 and P500,000, and may also be imprisoned for 6 to 12 years.</p><p>In grave cases, officials who will be found liable for the said offense may be perpetually disqualified from government service.</p><div><br/></div><div><span class="fr-video fr-deletable fr-fvc fr-dvb fr-draggable" contenteditable="false" draggable="true"><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/rWWnYLKFXEk?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe></span><br/></div>

<p>A total of 25 local government officials have left the country despite the travel ban order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government due to the anticipated onslaught of the recent typhoons.</p>

A total of 25 local government officials have left the country despite the travel ban order of the Department of the Interior and Local Government due to the anticipated onslaught of the recent typhoons.