Application for foreign travel authority for LGU officials now online – Sueno

February 20, 2017

Source : http://dilg.gov.ph/news/Application-for-foreign-travel-authority-for-LGU-officials-now-online-Sueno/NC-2017-1044

Local government officials and employees who wish to travel abroad may now secure approval for their travel via a hassle-free and easy online application system developed by the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG).

DILG Secretary Ismael ‘Mike’ D. Sueno said the web-based system called the ‘Foreign Travel Authority (FTA) On-Line System of Local Government Officials and Employees’ provides a centralized online solution for FTA application.

“We are in an era where everything is done on the web, and this is basically the concept behind the FTA On-Line System – to make it easier for local officials to secure approval for their foreign travels. Now, they can apply for travel permits in the convenience of their own offices and without having to visit the DILG central office,” Sueno said.

Under the law, no local government official shall leave for abroad without the appropriate travel authorization and duly accomplished leave application approved by competent authorities.

Sueno said that an application for travel authority shall be filed thru the FTA Online System at www.blgs-pcmd.com where applicants must download the User’s Manual and FTA Checklist before filling out the application form and attaching all the necessary requirements for submission. After submission, the system will generate an ‘Application Number’ necessary to check on the status of the application and generation of approved FTA.

Among the administrative requirements that should be attached to the application are the following: endorsement from the local chief executive, clearance from property and money accountabilities, invitation from host country or organization, and a duly notarized sworn statement attesting that the applicant has no pending criminal or administrative charges, or oath of undertaking when an applicant has a pending case.

The DILG Secretary said that there may be instances when the approved FTAs can be recalled such as in case of emergency, and/or natural or human-induced disaster.

On the other hand, grounds for non-processing or disapproval of the FTA are incomplete administrative requirements or when documents are submitted within 24 hours prior to departure.

Sueno also made it clear that no post-travel authority shall be issued in case of failure to secure travel authorization prior to departure. Requests submitted on weekends and holidays will be processed on the next working day.

Per DILG Circular 2016-11, the DILG Undersecretary for Local Government is the approving authority of the FTAs of the following: a provincial governor, mayor of highly urbanized city and independent component city regardless of the nature, purpose and duration of such travel; mayor of component city and municipality, vice governor, vice mayor, sanggunian member, barangay official, and local government department head on official time only, official business or when the duration of travel exceeds three calendar months or during a period of emergency or crisis; and local government employee on official time only and official business.

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Application for travel authority can be filed thru this link :

Foreign Travel Authority Online System :  www.blgs-pcmd.com