Mobile passport services yield P13-M savings

The foreign affairs department’s 19 mobile passport services (MPS) pilot tested in Iloilo City last year has translated to more than P13-million savings for 6,616 passport applicants. Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) regional director Liza Jane Estalilla said the MPS were available in Negros Occidental, Antique, Aklan and Capiz. Estalilla said the savings were computed based on the estimated expenses the applicants would have incurred if they went to the DFA regional office in Iloilo City for the processing of documents. Aside from helping applicants minimize their expenses, Estalilla said that the MPS has also brought government services closer to the people. The Overseas Workers Welfare Administration, the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration and the PhilHealth also provided assistance for the applicants. Estalilla said the MPS is usually done upon request of local government units. Records from the DFA revealed that such requests came mostly from LGUs in Negros Occidental. Meanwhile, the DFA here will temporarily suspend its mobile passport service starting March 30 until May 14. “We don’t want to be used by politicians in their campaigns. That is why, there is this election ban for us," Estalilla said. Estalilla assured that the service would resume after the elections.