The Department of Transportation (DOTr) has issued an order limiting the function of its attached agencies in the rail and road sectors.
In a 13-page department order dated Feb.28, 2023, titled “Delegation and Delineation of Authorities in the DOTr Central office and its Sectoral Project Management Offices,” DOTr has taken several important functions away from its attached agencies, including the Metro Rail Transit line 3 (MRT-3), DOTr Regional Offices in Cordillera Autonomous Region and Caraga, Land Transportation Office (LTO), Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board, and the Philippine Railways Institute.
The order, signed by Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista, specified the scope and limitations in all administrative matters as well as procurement processes for programs, activities and projects; disbursement and funding under the General Appropriations Act; and approval of other matters concerning the said offices.
Specifically, the said attached agencies and offices should seek the approval of the undersecretary concerned, for the most part, the undersecretary of administration and finance, when the approved budget for a contract is above P50 million.
Transactions, including advance payment, billing and fund transfer to agencies, where the contract is P50 million and above must be approved by the DOTr secretary.
The order also limits the administrative functions of the DOTr’s attached agencies. Instead of giving heads of agencies the authority to approve functions, such as engaging job order and contract service workers as well as appointment and/or contracts renewal, notice of termination, approval of expiration of contracts, acceptance of resignation and dropping from the rolls, these were given to the DOTr central office, specifically to the undersecretary for administration and finance.
The undersecretary for administration and finance was likewise designated as approving authority for administrative matters in attached agencies, such as requests to render overtime pay of employees, application for leave and terminal leave, office clearance, issuance of travel authority, nomination to local and foreign scholarships, vehicle assignments and other matters.
