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

19" Congress
First Regular Session

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House Bill No. 3440

Introduced by Rep. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado

EXPLANATORY NOTE

Bohol is an island province inhabited by approximately One Million
Four Hundred (1.4M) people as of 2022. It is home to more than
100,000 Overseas Filipino Workers (OFW); bulk of these OFWs are
primarily, seafarers, while some are nurses, engineers and other
contract workers. The role of these OFWs cannot be underestimated
because they are considered as “modern-day heroes” who helps in
keeping the economy afloat with their significant contribution through
personal remittances.

The Province of Bohol is also one of the county's prime tourist
destination, which tourism industry also contributed much to the national
economy. Bohol attracts a lot of tourists and expats from Europe and
other countries due to its white beaches, old churches, world class dive
sites and beautiful culture. It has an international airport, the Bohol-
Panglao International Airport, which caters not only domestic flights but
direct international flights as well.

However, each year, thousands of Boholano residents travel long
distances, particularly to Cebu and Manila to avail of the services of the
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), more particularly the issuance and
renewal of passports; such is unnecessary waste of time, effort and
resources.

DAE AUG_1 02022



To address this problem, there is a pressing need to establish a
Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) office in the Province of Bohol, to
perform, not only passport-related transactions, but regular consular
functions. With access to improve public service as the primary
motivation, a DFA office in Boho! would greatly facilitate not only the
need of the Boholanos but also of others needing consular services.

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

MARIA vaneesa Cc. AUMENTADO


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

19th Congress
First Regular Session

“, 3440

House Bill No.

Introduced by Rep. Maria Vanessa C. Aumentado

AN ACT
ESTABLISHING A REGULAR DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS
OFFICE (DFA) CONSULAR OFFICE IN BOHOL, APPROPRIATING
FUNDS THEREFORE AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.

Be enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of
the Philippines 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 Bohol, particularly in Ubay, Bohol”.

Section 2. Declaration of Policy. — \t 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 all citizens of the Philippines.

Section 3. Establishment of the Consular Office.- There shall
be established a regular Department of Foreign Affairs’ Consular Office
in the Province of Bohol, particularly in Ubay, Bohol.

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.

Sec. 7. - Separability Clause. — If, for any reason, any part or
provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional or invalid, the remaining
provisions hereof which are not affected thereby shall continue to be in
full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, executive orders,
rules and regulations or portions thereof which are inconsistent with this
Act are hereby repealed, amended or modified accordingly.

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

Approved,