MANILA — The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has launched an investigation into 24 local chief executives who left the country for foreign trips while Super Typhoon “Uwan” was devastating parts of Luzon and Visayas, despite a government directive suspending overseas travel during the national emergency.
“Under investigation ngayon ang 24 na umalis na local chief executives. Despite the directive, umalis sila November 9 to 15,” Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla confirmed in an interview with DZBB.
The DILG chief said that under emergency conditions, all local government officials — from mayors to councilors — must first seek clearance from the department before leaving the country.
“Dati po kasi basta municipal mayors pababa hanggang councilors ay sa governor lang sila magpapaalam or sa mayor. In this case of national emergency, lahat po yan ay magre-report back to the DILG,” he explained.
Remulla warned that local officials who defied the order could face administrative sanctions for gross insubordination and abandonment of duty.
“It is their moral duty to be cognizant of the approaching calamities. Lahat naman tayo na nanonood ng balita, lahat tayo (nagbabasa) ng dyaryo, lahat tayo na nakikita sa internet, alam naman natin yung parating,” he said.
The Ssecretary added that even those who left before the November 9 directive would still have to justify their absence.
“Ayan ang kailangan nilang ipaliwanag kasi clear-cut guidelines yan. Kung nagtanong sila sa local DILG — malamang hindi sila nagtanong — sasabihin sa kanila yung mga ganyang klaseng requirements,” he added.
In Cebu province alone, nine officials—eight mayors and one provincial board member—had planned to travel to the United Kingdom in November. Although Governor Pamela Baricuatro granted them authority in September, four of the nine reportedly lacked DILG-approved foreign travel clearance. One later canceled the trip.
Remulla clarified that two governors from Cagayan Valley who traveled abroad before the directive was issued were excluded from the probe.
“Yung dalawa po yun ay nagpaalam sa akin na umalis po sila ng November 8 bago namin nilabas ang directive November 9 at saka wala pang state of national emergency noon. Hindi po (sila covered ng investigation) dahil nagpaalam naman po sila,” he said.
The DILG earlier ordered all local elective and appointive officials to suspend foreign travel from November 9 to 15 to ensure their presence and leadership during the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan./PN
