DFA mobile passport services translate to P13-M savings
The 19 mobile passport services (MPS) offered by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) here last year translated to more than P13 million in savings for 6,616 passport applicants.
DFA Regional Director Liza Jane Estalilla said the MPS were made available in Negros Occidental, Antique, Aklan and Capiz.
Estalilla said the savings were computed based on the estimated expenses the applicants would have incurred if they went to the DFA regional office in Iloilo City for the processing of their documents.
Aside from helping applicants minimized their expenses, Estalilla emphasized that mobile passporting has also brought government services closer to the people.
The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the Philhealth also provided assistance for the applicants.
Estalilla said mobile passporting is usually done upon requests of local government units.
Records from the DFA revealed that such requests came mostly from LGUs in Negros Occidental.
Meanwhile, the DFA here will temporarily suspend its mobile passport service starting March 30 until May 14.
Estalilla said she does not want the service to be given political color since most of their activities were conducted in response to requests and invitations from local officials.
“We don’t want to be used by politicians in their campaigns. That is why, there is this election ban for us,” she explained.
Estalilla assured that the service would resume after the elections.
Moreover, she encouraged other interested LGUs to assist their residents by patronizing the mobile passport service. PNA