“I have only amended the Per Diem Rate of the President, the Ministers, and the Vice-President to equal those of the OEK,” President Toribiong said in an interview. “I brought it to the same level because why should the president get less per diem rate than the OEK members?”
EO No. 199 was created in 2001 to establish a comprehensive travel policies and procedures for the Executive Branch of the National Government. However, it became outdated due to the significant increase of costs of accommodation and meals over the last ten years.
The new per diem rate almost doubles the amount designated by EO NO. 199. In EO 199, the per diem rate of trips to Hawaii was $167. The amended rate is $300. For trips to the Philippines, it used to be $122, now it is $250.
The rates, however, are subject to reviews and revision once a year if necessary.
