Albay Representative Joey Salceda on Saturday urged the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to replace the charges of the every day journey allowance and the illustration and transportation allowance (RATA) of native authorities officers to spice up native tourism.
Salceda, who can also be the House Ways and Means chair, emphasised that the RATA was final up to date in January 2013.
“From 2013 to 2022, the value of each peso has eroded to 74 centavos. It also no longer makes sense given that LGUs have increased local revenues from 107.98 billion to 256.21 billion last year. That’s a 137% growth rate. Around the same period, national government revenues only grew by 75%. So, they’re actually doing a better job at improving revenue collection,” Salceda mentioned in a press release.
“They also have more resources as a result of the Mandanas-Garcia ruling. So, all in all, they are better placed to help the domestic tourism sector,” he added.
Salceda mentioned in addition they deserve the rise as a result of “improved efforts” in producing native revenues.
He mentioned the RATA for LGUs ought to enhance by a minimum of 35% attributable to inflation.
“The increase should be sourced from LGU revenues, so that it does not affect our limited NG fiscal space. But it should be done,” he added.
Travel bills
The Albay consultant mentioned he was additionally proposing to assessment the charges of the per diems allowed for journey of native officers.
He reminded the DBM, saying that “EO 77 s. 2019 prescribed the rates of expenses and allowances for travel. The same EO mandates a periodic review every three years based on a survey of lodging costs conducted by the DOT, and other economic indicators prescribed by the Philippine Statistics Authority.”
Salceda mentioned the utmost Daily Travel Expense for native officers is P1,500 to P1,800 relying on the cluster.
“From 2019 to 2022, the value of each peso has eroded to 89 centavos. Proportionately, the DTE should now be adjusted to P1,688 to P2,026,” he mentioned.
The lawmaker mentioned he’s hoping that the rise will increase home tourism, which suffered “scarring effects” as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.
“The increase in rates will help boost our Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions or MICE scene, which suffered structural losses due to the pandemic,” he added. — DVM, GMA Integrated News
