Reorganization of Consular Offices
- DFA-OCA Field Offices reorganized into DFA Consular Offices (DFA COs).
- Functions include:
- Issuance of passports to Filipino nationals.
- Providing authentication services.
- Issuance of verification for consular record documents and acceptance of delayed registration applications.
- Assistance-to-nationals (ATM) services.
- Other functions as assigned per laws.
- All DFA COs supervised by Assistant Secretary for DFA-OCA.
- Each DFA CO led by designated Foreign Service Officer/Staff or qualified personnel.
Renaming and Listing of Consular Offices
- All existing SOs and RCOs renamed as DFA COs.
- Each office identified by location, e.g., DFA Consular Office [city/municipality].
- A list of 27 specified DFA Consular Offices nationwide, covering NCR and key cities regionally.
Creation of Additional Consular Offices
- Criteria for new DFA COs:
- Projected clientele: minimum 75,000 outside NCR; 300,000 within NCR annually.
- Projected annual workload: at least 100,000 passports, authenticated documents, or consular records.
- Projected collections: minimum Php 71,250,000 annually.
- Secretary of Foreign Affairs (SFA) must submit cost-benefit analysis to DBM and seek Presidential approval.
- Exceptions allowed with sufficient justification and DBM concurrence.
Closure of Existing Offices
- SFA authorized to close DFA COs when:
- Consular service demand falls below threshold or declines by 50% over five years.
- Nearby new DFA CO can serve clients adequately.
- Security, calamities, or analogous reasons justify closure.
- Notice of closure must be sent to DBM and Office of the President within 30 days.
Personnel Matters
- Home-based plantilla positions for DFA COs to be created in coordination with the DBM.
Housing Benefits
- DFA CO Heads assigned or transferred outside domicile without residence provided quarters at government expense.
- Rental cost limits prescribed by DBM and existing rules.
- Option to stay elsewhere at personal expense.
Transport of Personal Effects
- DFA CO Heads entitled to transport personal effects up to 500 kg at government expense.
- Excess weight expense borne personally.
Allowances
- Monthly representation and transportation allowances for DFA CO Heads subject to ceilings under existing laws.
Funding and Budget
- DFA CO expenses charged to DFA annual appropriations and Passport Revolving Fund (RA 8239).
- Insufficiency of funds covered by Miscellaneous Personnel Benefits Fund temporarily.
- Subsequent budget allocations included in General Appropriations Act.
Implementation and Rules
- SFA empowered to issue implementing rules and regulations.
- Coordination with DBM required for provisions with organizational, staffing, or financial implications.
Repeals and Separability
- Inconsistent prior issuances repealed or modified.
- Invalidity of any provision does not affect other provisions.
Effectivity
- Executive Order effective fifteen (15) days after publication in a newspaper of general circulation.