COA flags P14.4M in uncollected travel payments for gov't officials

The Commission on Audit (COA) has flagged over P14.4 million in uncollected advanced payments for foreign travel expenses of government officials, totaling P14,403,827.63 as of December 31, 2024.

These overdue receivables, covering airfare and hotel accommodations, were initially paid upfront by the Office of the President (OP) for officials joining presidential foreign trips since President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. took office in 2022.

The uncollected expenses are associated with presidential visits to various countries including China, Japan, the United States, and several nations in Europe and Southeast Asia.

Several departments and offices, such as the Department of Finance, Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, and the Senate of the Philippines, had representatives whose travel costs remain uncollected.

The OP has been monitoring these outstanding bills, issuing collection letters in April and May 2025, and has since collected P7,887,555.64, representing 55% of the total amount.

The OP consistently monitors the outstanding bills through monthly aging reports and by sending collection demand letters.