The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Friday launched an authentication hub at its Tagbilaran City consular office, allowing residents of Bohol and nearby provinces to have documents authenticated locally for use abroad.

The hub, the 14th in the country, offers the service popularly known as “Red Ribbon,” which certifies documents that Filipinos need for overseas employment, study or travel.

Residents previously had to travel outside the province for the service.

Speaking on behalf of former Rep. Edgar Chatto, who initiated the creation of the consular office, Balilihan Mayor Atty. Trisha Chatto thanked the DFA for bringing the additional service to Boholanos.

The launch was held Oct. 30, 2026 at the consular office, which sits on the fifth floor of Alturas Mall. Attending were DFA Assistant Secretary Anne Jalando-on Louis, Provincial Administrator Aster Caberte, Vice Mayor Adam Jala, City Administrator Alvin Acuzar, Councilor Pureza Chatto, Alturas Group of Companies General Manager Mark Alturas and other guests.

Organizers also thanked the Alturas Group for providing the space that houses the office.

Background

Chatto had led Bohol’s efforts to establish a DFA office in the province since he was governor. Before the office opened, Bohol residents had to travel to Cebu, Dumaguete or Tacloban to obtain passport services.

Chatto filed House Bill 8767 in February 2021, seeking a regular DFA consular office in Tagbilaran City. He insisted on a full consular office with complete services rather than a field office. The DFA endorsed the prioritization of the Tagbilaran office in September 2022, and Chatto followed up on the matter during committee and budget hearings.

The 2024 national budget set aside P16.2 million pesos to put the office into operation.

In August 2024, Chatto reported that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. had approved the establishment of the office, according to Executive Secretary Lucas Bersamin. Chatto has said the process was lengthy and required the province to meet strict DFA criteria.

The Alturas Group proved key to the project. The company provided 750 square meters of space for the office and shouldered the cost of building it.

The DFA Tagbilaran City Consular Office opened Nov. 29, 2024, as the 41st in the country and the seventh in the Visayas.

The DFA selected 15 personnel to staff it from a pool of 500 applicants. DFA Undersecretary Jesus Domingo said then-Foreign Secretary Enrique Manalo wanted the office to serve as a “model” and “template” for similar offices in other provinces.

The authentication hub adds to the services the office has offered since its opening, which include new passport applications and renewals.