Subic Bay Freeport—The Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority’s (SBMA) Passport on Wheels (POW) project at the Harbor Point Ayala Mall on April 29, 2025 was able to process 92 passports in record time of 4 hours.
SBMA Human Resource and Management Department (HRMD) Manager Vivian Abalos shared that the successful processing of the 92 passports was just a portion of the total 200 passport applications since the other 108 that were supposed to be processed did not materialize due to incomplete documents and payments.
Abalos extended her gratitude 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 agency.
The SBMA has been conducting the POW project even before the pandemic, and it has helped stakeholders within and around the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (SBFZ) in conveniently processing their passport applications and renewals.
Meanwhile, SBMA Chairman and Administrator Eduardo Jose L. Aliño explained that the SBMA does not issue passports, but rather, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA). He said that this project is a part of the agency’s CSR program in collaboration with the DFA.
“This project aims to provide convenient access to passport services for individuals within the Subic Bay area. The SBMA brings passport application and processing services directly to Subic Bay Freeport to extend convenience to SBF residents, employees, and their dependents,” he added.