VICE Governor Mark Lambino defended the US trip of some members of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP) and department heads from June 1 to 9, saying they were invited by a group of Pangasinenses to attend special occasions and their foreign travel authority were approved by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Lambino told newsmen on May 27, an individual invitation was sent to the SP members and department heads to participate in the 126^th anniversary of the Philippine Independence, induction ceremonies of the officers of the Association of Pangasinenses in America, including benchmarking activities in New York and Washington D.C.

He said their travel authority was signed and approved by Regional Director Jonathan Paul Leusen Jr of the DILG.

According to Lambino, there are 20 officials comprising the delegation, 11 are from SP (including Lambino), the rest are department heads.

Those who will do benchmarking are the tourism officer, SP secretary, budget officer, planning officer, cooperatives officer, PESO and social welfare officer.

Asked if they will still hold an online session during their travel period, Lambino said, “Since we are traveling on official time, we are technically on official business so we can still conduct online sessions when necessary…” meaning it’s not a junket.

Gov. Ramon Guico III will not join the delegation, Lambino said. (Eva Visperas)

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