The Cebu provincial government on Tuesday said documents have been submitted to the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) for the probe into the alleged foreign trips of some officials during the onslaught of Tropical Cyclone Uwan.
“We have submitted already the request of the documents to the DILG upon their order,” Cebu Assistant Provincial Administrator Aldwin Empaces told GMA News Online in a message.
Nine officials including eight mayors and a Sangguniang Panlalawigan member had scheduled foreign trips to the United Kingdom in November, based on the DILG’s summary that was confirmed by Empaces.
Cebu Governor Pamela Baricuatro received and signed the documents of the officials last September.
While all of the nine officials received authority to travel from the governor, four of them did not receive an approved foreign travel authority from the DILG’s portal.
One of the nine officials canceled his foreign trip.
DILG Secretary Jonvic Remulla earlier confirmed to GMA News Online that his department informed the Cebu provincial government to submit records of all foreign travel authorities granted to officials in light of an investigation.
On November 8, the DILG has ordered all elective and appointive local officials to cancel and suspend foreign travel from November 9 to 15 as the country braces for the impact of Uwan.
Remulla emphasized that governors, mayors, barangay captains, and other local officials must lead on the ground.
Super Typhoon Uwan (international name: Fung-Wong) made landfall over Dinalungan, Aurora on November 9. Six people were reported to have died, the Office of Civil Defense said.
Uwan caused flooding, storm surges, heavy rainfall, and landslides in many areas while inside the Philippine Area of Responsibility (PAR).
The typhoon exited PAR on Tuesday morning. —KG, GMA Integrated News
