CEBU CITY – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) officially opened a consular office in Bohol province recently.
BOHOL Gov. Aris Aumentado leads the opening of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular office in Tagbilaran City, Bohol. (Contributed photo)
Bohol Gov. Aris Aumentado said the opening of the DFA consular office marked a milestone in accessible government services, job creation, and economic growth for the province.
"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 Boholano people. Today, that dream has finally been realized. Bohol now has its very own DFA consular office," Aumentado said.
The governor led the blessing, ribbon-cutting ceremony, and inauguration of the office on Friday, Nov. 29.
With the opening of the DFA office on the fifth floor of the Alturas Mall in Tagbilaran City, people of Bohol will no longer have to go to Cebu City, Dumaguete City, or Tacloban City for appointments, particularly for passport services.
Jesus Domingo, Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs of the DFA, thanked key officials who worked for the opening of the DFA office in Bohol.
"Let's make this a template of how a consular office is created in our provinces and regions,” said Domingo.
Adelio Angelito Cruz, Assistant Secretary of the Office of Consular Affairs, inducted the 15 newly hired DFA-Bohol personnel.
In a pre-recorded video, DFA Secretary Enrique Manalo congratulated officials in Bohol for the opening of the DFA office.
The office will start accepting passport applications and renewals from Dec. 2 to 16 on a first come, first serve basis, with 150 allocated slots for walk-in applicants and 50 slots reserved for Persons with Disabilities.
Starting Dec. 9, online appointments will be required with a list of requirements available at the DFA passport website accessible via https://passport.gov.ph/appointment.