MANILA, Philippines – Opting not to appoint a government caretaker, President Benigno S. Aquino III will govern the country via remote control while on a week-long visit to the United States, Malacañang announced Sunday.

The President, who departs for his maiden overseas voyage tonight, will remain in charge of the nation and keep tabs with his Cabinet through resent him in official ceremonies and social functions during his absence. Executive Secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr., on the other hand, will assist or sign relevant documents on behalf of the President.

“The President shall continue to exercise all the functions of his office as enjoined by the Constitution and the laws,” Lacierda said reading the President’s memorandum.

“Each (of the) department secretary shall attend to and decide matters that pertain to his department and under which the laws he may decide. And those matters that require the approval of the President in case urgent action is needed, such approval shall be obtained by the fastest and most convenient means of communication,” he added.

The President also directed department secretaries to contact him immediately if there are urgent department matters that require his consultation.

A Cabinet meeting may also be called if necessary even though the President is on a working visit in the US, mainly to attend the United Nations General Assembly in New York City.

“The Vice President or in his absence, the Executive Secretary shall preside over the meetings,” the memo read. “All communications to the President shall be transmitted through or by the Executive Secretary.”

In the last part of the memo, the President allowed the Vice President to represent him in social functions, preside over all official ceremonies, as well as receive and return the official calls of foreign dignitaries on his behalf.

“And in such occasion, the Vice President shall be entitled to the honors and courtesies given the President of the Philippines,” the memo read.

Lacierda said the memorandum takes effect until the President returns home from his US tour. The President, who is averse to traveling abroad without getting tangible benefits for the people, will travel light and cheap in the United States as part of his austerity measures.

With a P25-million travel expense, the President will take a regular commercial flight to the US, stay in a reasonably-priced hotel, and avoid dining in fancy restaurants.

Mr. Aquino, accompanied by a 57-member official delegation, decided to cut travel costs to prove that a mission can be accomplished without a hefty price tag, according to Presidential Communications Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma.

Buoyed by the nation’s healthy economic standing, Mr. Aquino intends to attract more job-generating investments to the country during his visits toe New York City and San Francisco, California.

This will be the President's first foreign travel which comes amid harsh criticisms over his government's handling of the Aug. 23 hostage incident that left eight Hong Kong tourists dead.

“The President wants to demonstrate the principle of good governance. On this occasion, an important mission can be accomplished at a cost that is not heavy on the people’s pockets, especially at a time when we are conserving resources,” Coloma said.

Coloma assured that the President’s work will not be hampered despite having fewer protocol and security staff accompanying him in the US.

In the US, the President is expected to address the UN General Assembly on Sept. 24 and later join Southeast Asian leaders in a summit with US President Barack Obama.

Separate meetings with UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon as well as with leaders of Vietnam, Malaysia and Thailand are also arranged on the sidelines of the UN assembly.

The President is also set to meet with several US business groups as well as Filipino community during his visits to New York City and San Francisco, California. He is expected to return to Manila on Sept. 28.