MANILA, Philippines — Three lawmakers from the Makabayan bloc have sought an inquiry into the outsourcing by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) of passport renewal services in Italy, Malaysia, and Qatar to a private entity.
House Resolution No. 2475 urges the House overseas workers affairs committee to look into the DFA’s contract with BLS International Services to put up e-Passport Renewal Centers.
The measure was filed on Jan. 28 by Bayan Muna Representatives Ferdinand Gaite, Carlos Isagani Zarate and Eufemia Cullamat.
“The House of Representatives is duty-bound to protect the interests of migrant Filipinos against government policies that will cause additional burden to our so-called modern heroes,” they said.
In particular, the lawmakers cited the outsourcing of passport renewal services by the Philippine Embassy in Italy, which was announced in November 2021.
Overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) in Italy had to pay 130 euros, or P7,540, for their passport renewal through BLS International.
“Outsourcing of this service clearly puts an additional financial burden on our OFWs, as well as other Filipino migrants in Italy,” the lawmakers said.
READ: DFA expresses reservations on giving lifetime passports