TACLOBAN CITY — The Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council (RDC) is pushing for the implementation of mobile passport application processing services across the region to address the challenges faced by residents in securing online appointments. This initiative aims to simplify the passport application process for the area’s citizens, particularly those from remote locations.
According to Philippines News Agency, the RDC, led by Department of Budget and Management Regional Director Imelda Laceras, endorsed a resolution on September 19 to expedite passport applications and renewals, especially for government employees needing to travel abroad for training. The current system’s limitations have led to missed opportunities due to the inability to secure or renew passports in time.
Laceras highlighted the high demand for passports in the region, which is serviced by a single Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) consular office in Tacloban City. This office, with its limited staff, struggles to meet the needs of the entire region, particularly affecting residents of Samar and Biliran Islands and Southern Leyte province. These individuals face significant burdens in terms of travel time and expenses to reach the consular office.
The proposed mobile service would provide a crucial solution by bringing passport services directly to the communities, thus alleviating the need for long-distance travel and reducing the load on the limited resources of the Tacloban consular office. Furthermore, this service aims to support government employees by minimizing the disruption to their work and civil responsibilities.
The resolution has been forwarded to the DFA central office for approval, in hopes that mobile passport services will soon be operational, easing the application process for many in Eastern Visayas.