DFA sets mobile passport services
Residents of the provinces of Negros Occidental and Aklan who plan to visit or work abroad need not visit the Department of Foreign Affairs 6 Regional Office based here in this city to secure their passports.
In a recent press briefing, DFA 6 Regional Director Victor Española announced the conduct of their mobile passport services (MPS) in Talisay City and Escalante in Negros Occidental and in Kalibo in the province of Aklan.
The MPS in Talisay City will be held on September 7-8, 2007; in Escalante on September 13-14; and Kalibo on October 25- 26.
Española said they are more than willing to bring their mobile passport services to other areas of the region as long as there are requests from the local chief executives.
The MPS is a continuing consular outreach program of the DFA undertaken in various parts of the country which aims amongst others to reach the public who may have difficulties in accessing to the Regional Consular Offices due to distance.
He likewise encouraged the early application of passports stressing that "with a passport at hand that would mean less trouble and effort if you were told to travel outside the country the next day."
A passport is a document issued by the Philippine government to its citizens who intend to travel abroad. Through this, the Philippine government requests other governments to allow its citizens to enter into their countries and to extend to them all forms of assistance and protection, if the need arises. However, possession of a passport is not a guarantee that the holder will be granted a visa by a foreign government to enter its territory.
For first time applicants, Española said requirements include birth certificate issued by the National Statistics Office (NSO) or Certified True Copy and photocopy of the birth certificate issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by the NSO and three copies of new photo.
Española advised passport holders to photocopy their passports for easy retrieval of their records in case of loss. He added that valid passport that was lost should also be reported to the police as this is one of the requirements for replacement.
(PIA)