THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is extending its Passport on Wheels (POW) program until Dec. 27, 2019.
POW is a program that fast-tracks application and renewal of passports. There are two mega vans that can each serve 800 to 1,000 applications a day.
The announcement was made on the Facebook page of the Office of the Presidential Assistant for the Visayas (Opav).
The POW mega vans are in the upper ground floor of the SM Seaside Tower Garden at the Mountain Wing of the SM Seaside City.
The service is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.
The DFA will only serve those who have made an online appointment via the website www.passport.gov.ph/appointment.
New passport applicants are required to submit a confirmed online appointment, personally appear before the POW to submit his or her accomplished application form, original copy of his or her authenticated birth certificate issued by the Philippine Statistics Authority and valid identification cards issued by the government.
For those who want to renew their passports, the requirements are the same as those for new applicants including the current e-Passport and a photocopy of the old passport. The DFA also requires those renewing to bring their old passports with them.
The POW was first introduced in February and was supposed to end on June 6.
But due to public demand, the Opav requested the DFA to extend its run until the end of the year. (from PAC of SuperBalita Cebu/MEA)