Marcos Authorizes DILG Secretary to Delegate Foreign Travel Approvals for Local Officials

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. has authorized the Secretary of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to delegate the approval of foreign travel requests from local government officials. This is stipulated under Administrative Order (AO) No. 47, which amends AO No. 267 issued in 1992. The new order specifically permits the DILG Secretary to further delegate this authority to their designated representatives. Signed by Executive Secretary Ralph Recto on July 30, 2026, by the authority of the President, the directive aims to refine approval processes and ensure responsiveness amidst contemporary government realities, strengthen government systems, and improve bureaucratic efficiency, while maintaining sufficient oversight and supervision over local governments. This measure is a response to the significant volume of travel requests and the increasing demands of regional coordination. Under Republic Act No. 7160, also known as the Local Government Code of 1991, local government officials are required to secure permission from the Office of the President for foreign travel exceeding three months, during periods of emergency or crisis, or when public funds are involved. AO No. 267 previously delegated certain supervisory powers of the President over local governments to the DILG chief, including the approval of foreign travel for local officials. The latest order seeks to enhance the efficiency of this process.