Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH (19th) CONGRESS
|st Regular Session
HousEB;LLNo.6494
Introduced by Hon. WILTER YAP PALMA
EXPLANATORY NOTE
According to the 2020 census, the Province of Zamboanga Sibugay is home
to a total of 669,840 Sibugaynons and a huge chunk of which are Overseas Filipino
Workers (OFW) of varying occupations and specialties whom are considered to be
as  our  ''modern-day  heroes".  In  fact,  these  heroes  serve  as  one  of  our  prime
economic pillars that is keeping our economy afloat through their remittances.
However,  each  year,  thousands  of Sibugaynons  are  still  accosted  by  long
travel distances to the nearby provinces just to avail of the services offered by the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), more particularly the issuance and renewal of
passports. By establishing a DFA Office within the heart of Zamboanga Sibugay, the
problems that have haunted the S{bugaynons in the form of grueling travel hours
would be finally addressed once and for all.
ln view of the foregoing considerations, the passage of this bill is earnestly
sought.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Philippines
NINETEENTIl (19th} CONGRESS
First Regular Session
HOusEB-iLLNo.6494
Introduced by HON. WILTER YAP PALMA
AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REGULAR DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS (DFA) CONSULAR
OFFICE IN THE MUNICIPALITY OF IPIL, PROVINCE OF ZAMBOANGA SIBUGAY AND
APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
Be  it  enacted  by the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in
Congress assembled:
1                   SECTION 1. 7Tt/e. -This Act shall be known as the "Establishment of Regular
2      Department  of  Foreign  Affairs'  Consular  Office  in  the  Province  of  Zamboanga
3       Sibugay particularly in the Municipality oflpil".
4                 Section 2. Dec/orotjon oJ Po/icy. -It is the policy of the state to promote
5      socialjustice in all phases ofdevelopment. Socialjustice includes social opportunity
6      and thatthis opportunity be made available to all citizens of the philippines.
7                 Section 3. Estob//.shment oJthe consu/or o#l.ce. -There shall be established
8      a regular Department Foreign Affairs' Consularoffice in the province ofzamboanga
9       Sibugay, particularly in the Municipality oflpil.
1o                 Section 4.  rvottire a/ Consw/or offce.  -The  consular office  sought to  be
11      established through this bill is a regular office and not a satellite office.


12                  Section  5.  Funct/.ons.  -The  regular  office  sought  to  be  established  shall
13      perform functions the same as those which are being performed by the existing
14      regular consular offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
15                  Section  6. Appropri.ot/.ons.  -Funding for this Act  shall  be  included  in  the
16      General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment and so forth.
17                  Section  7.  Separobi.//.fy  a/ouse.  -lf  any  provision  of this  Act  is  declared
18      unconstitutional or invalid, other provisions hereof which are not affected thereby
19      shall continueto be infullforce and effect.
2o                  Section   8.   Repeo/i.ng   a/ouse.   -   All   laws,   decrees,   executive   orders,
21      proclamation   and   administrative   regulations,   or   parts   thereof   inconsistent
22      herewith are hereby repealed or modified accordingly.
23                  Section 9. E#ectl.v/.fy. -This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
24      publication on the o#/.c/.cr/ Gazette or in a newspaper ofgeneral circulation.
25
Z6                  Approved,
27