DFA boosts passport services thru more regional offices

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Tuesday it has opened seven new regional consular offices (RCOs) in the last two years, and is continually improving the services of its existing RCOs. There are a total of 18 RCOs spread around the country providing consular services to Filipinos outside Metro Manila, the DFA said in a release posted on its Website. “Filipinos who reside in the provinces need not come to Manila to get a passport. They only have to go to the DFA regional office nearest to them and avail of the same fast and efficient services," Foreign Affairs Secretary Alberto G. Romulo stated. He added they are also bringing consular services closer to the Filipinos through the fielding of mobile passport services, which are regularly being undertaken in cities and municipalities around the country and Metro Manila. The seven recently-opened RCOs are located in the cities of Butuan, Bacolod, Batangas, Baguio, Puerto Princesa, General Santos and Cotabato. The other RCOs are in San Fernando in La Union, Tuguegarao, San Fernando in Pampanga, Lucena, Legazpi, Iloilo City, Cebu City, Tacloban, Zamboanga, Cagayan de Oro and Davao. In the period from January to February this year, the DFA Office of Consular Affairs conducted 34 mobile passport services which served around 14,000 passport applicants throughout the Philippines, the release further stated. The DFA also recently opened to the public the new Consular building located in in Aseana Business Park, near the Mall of Asia. The new facility is the home of the ePassport, electronic authentication system, electronic visa system, and digitalized consular records system. Meanwhile, the DFA reminded passport applicants to avail of the appointment system to ensure quick and comfortable service. Applicants can check the passport requirements and secure an appointment by logging in at www.passport.com.ph, or calling their hotline (02) 737-1000. They may also call the DFA helplines at telephone numbers (02) 831-8971, (02) 551-4437, (02) 551-4402, (02) 834-4855 and (02) 834-4424. According to the department, applicants are no longer required to bring photographs since they will have their pictures taken using ePassport data-capturing machines. Only those with confirmed appointments will be accommodated at the new facility. No escorts are allowed to accompany the applicants inside the premises at this time, the DFA added.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV