Going to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) offices in major cities like Manila and Davao can be very costly and tedious for people residing in provincial areas. I remember one of my cousins living in Tacurong who still have to go to Davao City and stay with us for a day so she can personally process her passport at the DFA Davao office.

Hopefully though, this burden can be alleviated soon as six new regional offices are expected to be operational in the country. According to Executive Order no 748, six new regional consular offices of the Department of Foreign Affairs shall be opened in the following cities:

Bacolod City
Puerto Prinsesa
Butuan City
Cotabato City
General Santos City and
Baguio City

I hope these new regional DFA branches can help shorten the long queus in existing DFA offices.