By Elvie Bongosia | 06:46 PM November 29, 2024
Boholanos no longer have to travel to neighboring provinces of Cebu and Negros Oriental or in Manila as the Department of Foreign (DFA) opened their Consular Office in Tagbilaran City on Friday, Nov. 29.
The DFA Tagbilaran City Consular Office, which is located on the 5th floor of Alturas Mall, is the 41st in the country and the 7th in Visayas.
This much-awaited government facility will provide convenience to Boholanos, including overseas Filipino workers, in new passport application and renewal as well as other consular services.
DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo, in his video message, said the concept of opening the DFA Consular Office in Bohol was due to their determination and desire to deliver services to the people.
The DFA considers it a template for the opening of consular offices in other parts of the country, with 1st District Rep. Edgar Chatto pushing for its establishment in partnership with the Alturas Group that proposed the free use of space for the DFA.
“This was only a dream, now it is a reality,” said Chatto, who lobbied for the establishment of the consular office.
Meanwhile, Gov. Erico Aristotle Aumentado highlighted the consular office’s role in improving services, creating jobs, and boosting Bohol’s growth in line with the Strategic Change Agenda.
“This office will improve the efficiency of government services delivery to more areas, creating job opportunities and stimulating economic growth that will positively benefit our people and contribute to Bohol’s development – fully aligned with our Strategic Change Agenda,” said Aumentado.
The governor added that while the mobile passport services conducted by the provincial government in partnership with DFA are invaluable, nothing can compare to the presence of an office that will specifically cater to the needs of the Boholanos.
DFA Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs (OUCSCA), Usec. Jesus Domingo, and DFA Office of Consular Affairs Asec. Adelio Angelito Cruz attended the inauguration.
Domingo and Alturas Mall general manager Marlito Uy signed the memorandum of agreement between DFA and Alturas Supermarket Corporation (ASC).
The officials thanked Uy for being one of the reasons that Bohol has a DFA Consular Office as Alturas Mall provided 750 square meters of space and shouldered the cost of building the DFA office.
First passport applicant, 18-year old Tresha Gift Saraspe Pamisa of Barangay Dampas, Tagbilaran City, excitedly filled out her application form during the inauguration day.
“I’m very happy that there’s now a DFA here in Bohol as I will no longer need to go faraway from my hometown and spend money for travel just to get a passport,” Pamisa said in an interview.
The DFA Tagbilaran City Consular Office is open to walk-in applicants from Dec. 2-6 for the first 150 passport applicants and 50 for the priority lane.
The office will accommodate regular online appointments starting Dec. 9. (ECB/PIA7-Bohol)
