Initially deployed around Metro Manila, the Department of Affairs’ (DFA) “Passport on Wheels” program is now available in the provinces.

The mobile passport application is now in the City of Smiles in line with Bacolod’s 80th charter anniversary celebration.

Starting Monday until today, the DFA has accommodated 500 pre-screened applicants per day from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the MassKara Hall located at the third floor of Bacolod City Government Center.

City Mayor Evelio Leonardia expressed his appreciation to the DFA for bringing the “Passport on Wheels” to Bacolod, saying Bacolodnons are among those experiencing difficulty getting an online appointment to apply for or renew their passports due to the backlog in the processing of applications.

“The two-day ‘Passport on Wheels’ initiative is among the activities of 80th charter anniversary celebration of the city,” Leonardia said.

“It is a way of extending help to our constituents who need to travel abroad, especially those who will do so for work or business,” he added.

The DFA launched the “Passport on Wheels” program last January 15.

Last week, DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano announced the opening of 100,000 appointment slots for passport application and renewal to address the backlog.

He said the DFA has increased its capacity from 10,500 daily passport appointments in 2017 to 19,000 this year.

From January to May 2017, DFA has issued 1.58 million passports. For the same period in 2018, they issued 1.85 million, with an increase of 16.74 percent.