Passport on Wheels has 1,000 add’l slots

Following the request of the public, at least 1,000 additional slots are opened to allow more people to avail of the Passport On Wheels program of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).

This was announced by Cebu City Councilor Raymond Alvin Garcia after he was informed by Office of the Presidential Assistant for Visayas chief Michael Lloyd Dino that DFA has yielded to the request of the public for the extension of the deadline and for the opening of additional slots.

Initially, only 1,000 slots were opened until July 20.

But because of public clamor, Barug Team Rama-PDP Laban councilors asked Dino to intercede and make a formal request to DFA.

“I called OPAV Secretary Michael Dino and I asked him if he can intercede to help us. Nangadto mi sa opisina niya with Vice Mayor Edgardo Labella together with atong mga kauban sa grupo,” Garcia said.

Garcia said Dino informed them that DFA yielded to the additional 1,000 more slots and the deadline was moved to July 24 at 4 p.m.

Those who are interested to apply or renew their passports may go to his office, Labella’s, or other councilors.

New applicants need to bring an accomplished application form; original copy of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) authenticated birth certificate; original copy of PSA authenticated marriage contract or report of marriage (for married female); and original and photocopy of valid IDs.

For those who will apply for renewal (maroon, green, and older passports), applicants must bring an accomplished application form; original copy of Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) authenticated birth certificate on security paper; original copy of PSA authenticated marriage contract or report of marriage (for married females) and original and photocopy of valid IDs

For lost passports, the same requirements are needed plus an affidavit of loss.

Garcia dismissed the claim of Mayor Tomas Osmeña who said he sent a letter to DFA for the deployment of Passport on Wheels in the city.

In a March 27-letter to DFA Assistant Secretary Frank Cimafranca, Osmeña asked the department to bring the program in the city so that the city’s residents can also avail of the program.

In one of his press conferences, Osmeña once again slammed OPAV for getting the credits of asking DFA to deploy the passport on wheels in the city.

However, Garcia said his group had also asked DFA through Dino on this matter.

“Because kami man ang nag request. Niingon man sila nga ipaagi nalang namo ang submission for pre-screening of the requirements. Kon ikaw mayor ka unya palaaway kaayo ka, dili nimo amigo ang mga national agencies, dili gyod ka tagdon,” Garcia said.

Garcia assured political affiliation of the applicant will not matter.

The Passport on Wheels will be in Cebu on August 1 and August 2. —

Jean Marvette A. Demecillo/MBG