DOTr order limits admin functions of attached agencies

A recent order of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) has stripped administrative and financial decision functions from some of its key attached agencies, thereby limiting their authorities.

In its Department Order No. 2023-007, dated February 28, titled “Delegation and Delineation of Authorities in the DOTr Central Office and its Sectoral Project Management Offices (PMOs),” the Transportation Department specified the scope and limitations in all administrative matters, as well as procurement processes for programs, activities, and projects; disbursement and fund under the General Appropriations Act; and approval of other matters concerning the said offices.

The order limited the administrative, procurement, and disbursement authorities of its attached agencies, namely Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), DOTr Regional Offices in Cordillera Autonomous Region (CAR) and CARAGA, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB), and Philippine Railways Institute (PRI).

Sought for comment, Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista said the latest order pertains to “internal matters” of the DOTr.

“[W]e review policies and procedures to implement good governance practices, with assurance that there will be no delays in the delivery of services to the public,” Bautista said.

In particular, instead of securing the approval of their respective heads of agencies, the attached offices shall now get the approval from the Undersecretary concerned or the Undersecretary of Administration and Finance for a contract above P50 million.

Likewise, transactions, including advance payment, billing, and fund transfer to agencies where the contract is P50 million and above shall be subject to the approval of the Transportation Secretary.

The latest order also limits the administrative functions of the DOTr's attached agencies to approve engaging job order and contract service workers as well as appointments and/or contracts, renewal notices of termination, approval of expiration of contracts, acceptance of resignations, and dropping from the rolls. These functions were transferred to the Central Office, specifically to the Undersecretary for Administration and Finance.

The Undersecretary for Administration and Finance has also been designated as the approving authority for administrative matters in attached agencies such as requests to render overtime pay of employees, application for leave, terminal leave, office clearance, issuance of travel authority, nomination to local and foreign scholarships, vehicle assignments, and other matters. —VAL, GMA Integrated News