Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESHNTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETHENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.9498
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu
HXPLANATORY NOTE
Republic Act No. 8239 provides that it is the duty of the government to issue passports or any travel
document to any citizen of the Philippines or individual who complies with the requirement of the Act.
This bill seeks to establish a Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) Consular Office in Roxas City.
Province of capiz, in order to cater to the citizens ofRoxas City and to the citizens of the municipalities of
the Province of capiz.
Currently, Capizefios need to travel to the nearest DFA Consular Oflice from Roxas City which is
the DFA Consular Office in Iloilo City. This is Ilo kilometers away, with an estimated travel time of two
hours  and  thirty  minutes  via  land  transportation.  Those  who  wish  to  avail  of the  services  of DFA,
particularly the issuance and renewal of passport, are burdened with the urmecessary waste of time, effort,
and resources due to the need to travel to Iloilo city to avail these services.
The establishment of a DFA Consular Office in Roxas City would greatly improve the delivery of
services of DFA. Accessibility of public services to its citizens is an essential criterion for good governance.
By establishing a DFA Consular Office in Roxas City, the services of DFA shall be made available to the
citizens of capiz and to the neighboring provinces as well.


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila
NINETEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session
HOUSEBILLNo.9498
Introduced by Representative Ivan Howard A. Guintu
AN ACT
ESTABLISHIN-G A CONS-U-LAR OFFICE 0F THE DEPARTMENT 0F FOREIGN
AFFAms a]FA) IN ROxAs cITy, pROvINCH OF cAplz, AND AppROpRIATING
FUNDS THERHFOR
Be  it  enacted by  the  Senate  and the  House  Of Representatives  Of the  Philippines  in Congress
assembled:
SECTION 1. Esf&b/I.sftmei®f a/frfee Ror¢s Coias#har Ojj7}cci -There is hereby established
a Consular Officer under the auspices of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to be situated
in Roxas City, Province ofcapiz.
SEC. 2. Fw#cfl.o#s. - The regular consular office sought to be established shall perform
functions the same as those which are being performed by the existing regular consular offices of
theDepartmentofForei_enAffairs.
SEC. 3. ,4ppropr..a!fro#s. - The amount necessary for the construction, establishment, and
operationalization of the  office shall be charged against the current year appropriations  of the
Department of Foreign Affairs.  Thereafter,  such sums  as may be  necessary  in its regular and
continued operation shall be included in the annual General Appropriations Act (GAA) under the
budget of the Department of Foreign Affairs.
SHC. 4. Scpflr¢bf./rty CJ¢wsei - If, for any reason, any section of this Act shall be deemed
unconstitutional or invalid, the other sections or provisions hereof shall not be affected and shall
remaln in force and effect.
SEC. 5. Repc¢Ji.ng CJ¢wseL - All laws, executive orders, decrees, instructions, rules and


regulations contrary to or inconsistent with any provision of this Act are repealed or amended
accordingly.
SEC. 6. EJ7rec#.tJI.fy. -This Act shall take effect fifteen ( 15) days after its publication in the
Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation
Approved>