The Authentication Services Center of the Department of Foreign Affairs that opened in Davao City is a boon to the Duterte administration’s plan to fast-track processing of government documents, says Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio.
With the new center, consular services have become more accessible to overseas Filipino workers based in Mindanao, particularly in Davao City, reported PNA.
Duterte-Carpio, who was a guest at the opening rites of the new center on Friday, said the new development also translates to increase in OFW remittances.
Brigido DJ Dulay, officer-in-charge of the Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns, said “Filipinos who wish to have their documents authenticated no longer need to go to the Embassy or Consulate of the country where they intend to present or use such document.”
Dulay said President Rodrigo Duterte already signed the Philippine Instrument of Accession to the Apostille Convention, which aims to reduce the time for document authentication processing.
The authentication of Philippine-issued documents will be accepted in 113 Apostille Convention member-countries, including the United States, Japan, and Australia.
He added that the Apostille replaces the Authentication Certificate, which can be processed at the DFA Authentication center in Davao.
