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Republic of the Philippines fi 5; RECEIVED a
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES z CATE: FEB 17 "g

Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL No. _°787

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

EXPLANATORY NOTE

The Province of Bohol is home to more than 50,000 overseas Filipino workers
(OFWs). And with the opening of the Bohol-Panglao International Airport on
November 27, 2018, the influx of tourists has steadily increased.

It becomes an imperative, hence, for the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
to establish its presence in the province to perform not only passport-related
transactions but regular consular functions.

At present, Boholanos in need of consular services are forced to travel to
Negros Occidental, Cebu and Manila which is a waste of time, effort and resources.

With access to improved public service as the primary motivation, a DFA
office in Bohol would greatly facilitate not only the need of Boholanos but also of
others needing consular services.

In view of the foregoing considerations, the passage of this law is earnestly
sought.

if

REP. EDGAR M. CHATTO


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City, Metro Manila

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS
Second Regular Session

HOUSE BILL NO. __ 8767

Introduced by HON. EDGAR M. CHATTO
First District, Bohol

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REGULAR DEPARTMENT FOREIGN OF
AFFAIRS' (DFA) CONSULAR OFFICE IN THE CITY OF TAGBILARAN,
PROVINCE OF BOHOL APPROPRIATING FUNDS THEREFOR
AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives in Congress
assembled:

Section 1. Title. — This Act shall be known as the "Establishment of Regular
Department of Foreign Affairs’ Consular Office in the Province of Cotabato
particularly in Kidapawan City”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — It is the policy of the State to promote
social justice in all phases of development. Social justice includes social opportunity
and that this opportunity be made available to everybody.

Section 3. Establishment of the Consular Office. — There shall be
established a regular Department of Foreign Affair's Consular Office in the Province
of Cotabato, particularly in Kidapawan city.

Section 4. Nature of the Consular Office. - The consular office sought
to be established through this bill is a regular office and not a satellite office.

Section 5. Functions, — 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 the Department of Foreign Affairs.

Section 6. Appropriations. — Funding for this Act shall be included in the
General Appropriations Act of the year following its enactment and so forth.

Section 7. Separability Clause. — Provisions of this Act not declared as
unconstitutional shall remain effective.

Section 8. Repealing Clause. ~ All other laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations inconsistent with this Act are repealed or amended.

Section 9. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,