INQUIRER FILES
TAGBILARAN CITY, Bohol – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday, Nov. 29, inaugurated its mall-based consular office here in a bid to bring passport application services closer to the public.
The DFA-Tagbilaran, which is located on the 5th floor of Alturas Mall, is the 41st in the country and seventh in the Visayas.
According to Rep. Edgar Chatto of Bohol first district, the much awaited government facility will provide convenience to Boholanos, including Overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs), in new passport application and renewal as well as other consular services.
“This was only a dream. Now, it is a reality, ” said Chatto who lobbied for the establishment of the consular office even when he was a governor.
He said there were many challenges along the way and it took years to get approval because of the rigid criteria to follow to qualify as a DFA consular office.
“Concerns of Boholanos overseas and foreign nationals who are in the province as residents or tourists can now be addressed through the office, ” said Chatto.
Friday’s event was attended by DFA Team led by Usec. Jesus “Gary” Domingo and Adelio Angelito Cruz, Marlito Uy of Alturas Group of Companies headed by Marlito Uy, Gov. Aris Aumentado, Tagbilaran Mayor Jane Yap, Balilihan Pureza Chatto, former Tagbilaran Mayor Baba Yap and other officials.
“This can be a template on how a concerned office can be created in our provinces and regions. This can be a model consular office,” said Domingo.
Aumentado said the opening of the consular office was a significant moment for the province’s history since for many years Boholanos have long yearned for its presence.
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Chatto said with the establishment of a consular office in Bohol, residents of the province will no longer have to travel to other provinces to access these services, saving them time, money, and effort.
Tresha Gift Pamisa, 22, said she was grateful that the DFA-Tagbilaran is now in Bohol.
“I am thankful that there is now a DFA in Bohol. I can’t spend a lot of money to go to another place to get a passport,” said Pamisa, the agency’s first client./###