SP Aklan hopes for regular deployment of mobile passporting unit

by Issanne S. Villaruel

The 19th Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan, during its 3rd Regular Session on July 18, 2022, passed a resolution requesting the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through its Regional office in Iloilo City, to facilitate the regular deployment of its mobile passporting unit in the province of Aklan.

The said resolution was sponsored by SP Mark V. Quimpo to cater to the growing number of Aklanons wanting to apply or renew their passport. “Very recently, by virtue of a resolution passed by the Sannguniang Bayan of Kalibo, the Department of Foreign Affairs deployed its passport on wheels program for the town of Kalibo which was availed of by 800 Kalibonhons,” said Quimpo.

The growing number of interested applicants prompted Quimpo to move towards another mobile passporting unit in the province. “It is for this reason that I respectfully submit this resolution with the hope that the Passport on Wheels program will again be deployed in Aklan for the benefit of all Aklanons,” he added.

SP Aklan has previously enacted SP Resolution No. 2012-216, SP Resolution No. 027, Series of 2014, and SP Resolution No. 2019-1389, respectively, asking DFA for the same purpose. In 2019, in partnership with the Provincial Government of Aklan, two thousand Aklanons have availed of the said services through its “Passport on Wheels” program specifically on November 15-17, 2019.

The Mobile Passport Services of the DFA is guided by the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 as part of the government’s commitment to bring its services closer to the people.