What’s is the correct interpretation of the ‘50 kilometer radius’ per EO 298?

May I ask about your point of view on the correct interpretation of “within 50 kilometer radius” per EO 298.

Medyo confusing po kasi ang mga Auditors namin regarding sa claims ng TEV within 50km radius.

Based on the EO 298 Section 5 — “Claims for payment of travel expenses [for] travel/assigment to places within the fifty (50) kilometer radius from the last city or municipality covered by the Metropolitan Manila Area, or the city or municipality wherein their permanent official station is located in the case of those outside the Metropolitan Manila Area, shall be allowed upon presentation of proof, duly supported by bills or invoices with official receipts of expenses incurred, that they stayed in the place of their assignment for the whole duration of their official travel. If they commute daily from the place of their assignment to the place of their residence or permanent official station, they shall be allowed only the reimbursement of actual fare at the prevailing rates of the authorized mode of transportation from the permanent official station to the destination or place of work and back, and a reasonable cost for meals. The total actual fare and cost of meals and incidental expenses shall in no case exceed Four Hundred Pesos (P400.00) per day.”

Pero as per advice nila last exit conference namin eh, okay lang daw naman na magexceed ng 400.00/day kahit na yung travel is only within 50km radius from Official Station. Kasi daw hindi na applicable yung 400.00/day na rate today kasi mababa na.

Na-amend na ba yung EO 298? Ang lumalabas tuloy is ako yung mali as Accountant in processing the claims of our employees na binabawasan ko yung claims nila if nagexceed ng 400.00/day. Eh ang basis ko naman is yung EO 298.

Responses to this question:

COA should respect the internal policy ng Management. If mahigpit ang accountant sa pagbibigay ng 400, the Auditor should be happy kasi maganda ang Internal Control. A big compliment sa accountant. — Mo Ja

Guys tama naman si COA Auditor, na pwede mag exceed ng 400 provided, in the case the claim exceeds 400, it should be accompanied by a certification that expenses is absolutely necessary in the performance of their official function. Kaya ang gawin mo, ipabalik mo muna ang claims nila tapos hingan mo ng certification, kung walang mabigay saka ka nalang mag bawas to 400. — Henry Ty

Since within 50km radius, ang assumption ng law, uuwi ka kaya 400 pesos lang. Inclusive pa ng transportation yun. Kapag within metro manila or within city lang, not entitled. Per diem sya. Binibigyan tayo nito kasi ilalayo tayo sa ating official station which might mean na additional gastos natin. Kunyari from province pinaluwas ng maynila, 80 pesos per meal kasi mas mahal bilihin sa maynila. Di naman ibig sabihin na yun lang ipangkakain mo. May budget ka naman talaga for meals mo as an employee. Pag mag exceed sa 400, tama ka as Accountant, 400 pesos lang. Sa lodging lang pwede mag exceed at ijustify. Or kung within 50km at nagstay ka sa place of assignment, justification ang ORs pa rin. — Delvee Baliat Gaasis Sacdalan

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