Evaluation on Travel Expense Release Practices, Challenges and Utilization Rate for DepEd Zamboanga Peninsula, Philippines: Basis for Intervention

Abstract

Public sector organizations are expected to uphold efficiency, transparency, and accountability in the management of public funds. In the Department of Education (DepEd), travel expenses represent a vital operational resource that enables personnel to conduct supervision, monitoring, and technical assistance activities, particularly at the regional level. However, delays, procedural inefficiencies, and utilization issues in the release of travel expenses have been recurrent concerns that may adversely affect personnel performance and service delivery. This study evaluated the travel expense release practices and utilization rate of DepEd Regional Office IX to assess their efficiency and to provide inputs for the design of appropriate interventions. The study employed a descriptive–quantitative research design. Data were gathered from selected personnel of DepEd Regional Office IX who are directly involved in or affected by travel expense processing, release, and utilization. A structured questionnaire using a Likert scale was utilized to measure travel expense release practices in terms of timeliness, accuracy and transparency, processes and procedures, and accessibility and support. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, mean, and weighted mean were used to describe the variables, while correlation analysis was applied to determine the relationship between travel expense release practices and the utilization rate of travel expenses. Findings revealed that while existing policies and guidelines provide a clear framework for travel expense management, gaps persist in actual implementation. Timeliness of release and liquidation, procedural complexity, and documentary requirements were identified as major challenges encountered by personnel. The utilization rate of travel expenses was influenced by both administrative and systemic factors, including delays in processing and limited accessibility to support mechanisms. Moreover, the results showed a significant relationship between travel expense release practices and the utilization rate, indicating that inefficiencies in release practices directly affect the absorptive capacity of the regional office. Based on the findings, the study proposes interventions aimed at improving efficiency in travel expense management, such as process streamlining, enhanced digital tracking systems, capacity-building activities, and strengthened accountability mechanisms. The study concludes that improving travel expense release practices is essential in maximizing fund utilization, supporting personnel effectively, and enhancing overall operational efficiency in DepEd Regional Office IX.