Sen. Cynthia Villar lauds DFA for 'Wheels on Passport'

-


Senator Cynthia Villar commended the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) for the launching of a program that will make passport applications more accessible to Filipinos.

Passport on Wheels (POW), which was initiated by Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano, was launched at Villar SIPAG in Las Pinas and served about 1,500 applicants.

“The reforms we are now seeing at DFA such as the opening of more appointment slots and this POW project seek to address concerns about passport applications and consular services to Filipinos,” Villar said.


Villar, who was guest of honor during the event, was principal sponsor of Republic Act 10928 or the law extending to 10 years the validity of passports in her capacity as then vice chair of the Committee on Foreign Relations.

The law amended Section 10 of Republic Act 8239 or the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 extending the validity of regular passports from five years to a period of 10 years. For individuals under 18 years of age, only a passport with 5-year validity shall be issued.


Villar noted that the DFA has started issuing passports with 10-year validity since January 1, 2018 with no additional cost.

“What is commendable about the POW project is that it brings the passport processing facility closer to the people. It dispenses with the need to schedule an appointment with DFA Consular Service online to apply for new passports or to renew old ones,” Villar said.


At present, DFA has four mobile vans equipped with five passport DCMs. Each van is capable of processing 500 passport applicants.

POW will be manned and operated by trained DFA personnel who will process passports, together with APO personnel as encoders.


Initially, the project is expected to deliver passport services to different locations in the National Capital Region not currently served by DFA’s six mall-based Consular Offices in Metro Manila starting January 2018.

As a requirement, passport applications submitted to the partner local government unit or partner organization, such as Villar SIPAG, will undergo pre-screening by the DFA a day before the holding of POW in the locality to make sure that the applications are in order. - ROBERT REQUINTINA








Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Diego Loyzaga on viral nude video: 'It was an accident'

-
Image
Kapamilya star Diego Loyzaga has admitted that he is reaching out to his father chief operating officer of Tourism Promotions Board Cesar Montano but he doesn't know if his dad knew that he was making the move. "Oo I am. Pero I don't even know kung alam n'ya. During the Christmas party of ABS CBN last year, I was with Tito Bayani (Agbayani). E magkapitbahay silang dalawa. And even Tito Bayani was telling me hindi na n'ya nakikita si Erpat. Lagi s'yang busy. Sinabi ni Tito Bayani, 'why don't you just text him?' "said Diego, when asked if he's reaching out to his father, during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS CBN. "Sabi ko, 'why not?' Nanghihinayang ako eh. Kung kelan ako sobrang seryoso na sa ginagawa ko sa showbiz na 'to, I wanna learn so much. I'm taking workshops with Tito Pen Medina at kung sinu-sino pa. Why not my dad? Why not my father?; "Nanghihinayang lang ako. Sa kont...
Read more

The Philippines' handsomest security guards

-
Image
Security guards or security officers are those who are paid to protect property, assets, or people. They prevent risks and deter crime, watch out for looming danger, and report any crime they may encounter. But there are a number of them who, based solely on their mystery and good looks, are noticeably garnering a fan base. Meet the country’s most handsome security guards! REDGIE OLIVAR, SECURITY GUARD, SM City Lucena Photo credit: Je Olivar CHASE AUGUSTUS MARCUM III, SECURITY GUARD, Severina Diamond Subdivision ( Parañaque City) Photo Credit: @chaseagustusmarcum on FB GERRYL LOQUIAS,  SECURITY OFFICER, Department of Foreign Affairs (SM Megamall) Photo credit: @GerrylLoquias on FB  JEFFREY VALBUENA, SECURITY GUARD, Alarm Security and Investigation Services Inc. Photo credit: @JeffBalbuena on FB FT MONTERUBIO JR,,  SECURITY GUARD, SM Megamall Photo Credit: @PinoyBae on Twitter
Read more

Piolo Pascual on Shaina Magdayao: 'We are really open'

-
Image
Actor Piolo Pascual has said that his relationship with actress Shaina Magdayao is open as they don't hide anything from each other. "What's good about our relationship is that we are really open. We don't keep anything from each other. So I say what is true, what is sincere, what is right, what is honest and you'll never go wrong," said Pascual, during an interview on "Tonight With Boy Abunda" on ABS-CBN recently. "Even if you are misquoted, as long as the communication lines are open and that you have a healthy relationship, then wala namang problema," added Pascual. Pascual and Magdayao were first romantically linked in 2012. Magdayao has said that she does not want to label her relationship with Pascual who earlier revealed that they have been exclusively dating for five years now. "Yes, it has been years that Piolo has been there for me as a great friend I can always count on. We have become very special to each...
Read more