REVENUE MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 57-2004  issued on September 13, 2004 publishes the full text of Administrative Order (AO) No. 103 issued by the President of the Philippines entitled “Directing the Continued Adoption of Austerity Measures in the Government.”
           The national government, its agencies and instrumentalities are directed to undertake cost-cutting measures to reduce expenses and channel its scarce resources towards the implementation of the 10-Point Legacy Agenda.
           Government-owned and controlled corporations, government financial institutions and other government instrumentalities are also directed to contribute in reducing the consolidated public sector deficit and in decreasing the public sector debt.
               Some of the austerity measures prescribed in the AO are the following:
               a) Suspension of foreign travels, local travels, purchase of motor vehicles, paid
                   media advertisements, conduct of celebrations and cultural or sports activities
               b) Reduction of at least 10% in the consumption of fuel, water, office supplies,
                    electricity and other utilities
               c) Adoption of a scheme that will allow employees rendering overtime to be
                   compensated through time/days off work in lieu of overtime pay.
           The filling-up of positions that have been vacated by reason of resignation, retirement, dismissal, death or transfer to another office, with certain exceptions, are also prohibited until lifted by the President.