SUBIC BAY FREEPORT — The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s (SBMA) Passport on Wheels (POW) project at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on April 29 processed 92 passport applications in a record time of 4 hours. 

SBMA Human Resource and Management Department (HRMD) manager Vivian Abalos said they received a total of 200 passport applications, but 108 of these had incomplete documents and payments.

Abalos extended gratitude on behalf of the SBMA to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) and Harbor Point Ayala Mall for their cooperation in the said corporate social responsibility (CSR) project of the Subic agency.

The SBMA has been conducting the POW projects even before the pandemic, helping stakeholders within and around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to conveniently process applications and renewals. 

SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño said the SBMA brings passport application and processing services directly to Subic Bay Freeport to extend convenience to SBF residents, employees, and their dependents.

“This project aims to provide convenient access to passport services for individuals within the Subic Bay area,” said.

He also clarified that the DFA issues the passports, not the SBMA.  “This project is a part of the agency’s CSR program in collaboration with the DFA,” he added. 