The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has opened an Apostille Hub inside The Bunker capitol building in Balanga City, Bataan on 1 December 2025 to provide ease and convenience for Bataeños availing Apostille (Red Ribbon) services.

According to Governor Joet Garcia, the DFA Consular Office’s Apostille Hub is located on the third floor of The Bunker, making authentication services more accessible for those who need certificates verifying the origin of public documents for use in countries that are members of the Apostille Convention.

During the opening ceremony, DFA Office of Consular Affairs Director Charles Andrei Macaspac said the office will provide authentication services needed to validate documents as legitimate for use overseas.

The establishment of the Apostille Hub was made possible through the efforts of Congressman Abet Garcia, who also initiated the creation of the DFA Consular Office for passport services in Bataan.

“Layunin po natin na mailagay sa iisang bubong ang iba’t ibang ahensya ng gobyerno upang mas mapadali ang pagkuha ng serbisyo publiko nang hindi na kailangan pang bumiyahe nang malayo at gumastos nang Malaki,” Governor Garcia said.

The governor expressed his gratitude to the DFA and assured Bataeños that the Provincial Government will continue to add and expand government services in the province.

An apostille is a certificate that authenticates the origin of a public document for use in another country that is a member of the Apostille Convention. It verifies the authenticity of the signature, seal, and position of the official who issued the document, making it a faster alternative to the older legalization process for countries that have both acceded to the convention.

For documents originating in the Philippines, the Department of Foreign Affairs is the competent authority for issuing apostilles.