THE Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has issued a new set of guidelines for officials and personnel of state universities and colleges (SUCs) seeking authority to travel abroad about their functions.
CHED Memorandum Order No. 3 s., 2025, which Secretary Prospero de Vera III signed on March 17, 2025, provided a step-by-step procedure on how to apply for authority to travel abroad, from the submission of the evaluation request, endorsement by the Board of Regents, up to approval and signing.
The Commission also provided a link where applicants can check the progress of their application online.
Submission of applications is required to be done at the CHED Regional Offices (CHEDROs) where the SUC is located.
Each SUC must designate an International Relations Officer (IRO) who will ensure that the requested travel abroad is aligned with the SUC’s Strategic Internationalization Plan (SIP) and is compliant with the requirements of Executive Order No. 77 s. 2019 (Prescribing Rules and Regulations and Rates of Expenses and Allowances for Official Local and Foreign Travels of Government Personnel).
For SUC presidents and officers-in-charge, the application must be submitted at least a month before the date of departure, together with a confirmation letter from the host university and a program stipulating a formal meeting between the officials of both institutions.
Other SUC officials who will join the official delegation are covered by requirements under CHED Circular No. 50, s. 2024.
“All forms of travel junkets are strictly prohibited as stipulated in Section 19, of E.O. 77s. 2019. As such, the specific roles and responsibilities of all participants must be clearly defined in accordance with government guidelines,” the memorandum stated.
Likewise, officials going on official trips overseas were strictly warned against conflict of interest where the cost would be shouldered in part or as a whole by an entity involved in a transaction with the SUC. This covers suppliers as well as contractors.
“All foreign trips partially or fully sponsored by private corporations or private individuals shall be fully disclosed. Furthermore, no official or personal travel of government officials and employees shall be funded directly or indirectly, fully or partially, by private individuals with pending requests, applications or future dealings,” the CHED order said.
The directive takes effect 15 days after publication in the Official Gazette or a newspaper of general circulation.
