Consular operations in all Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) offices and temporary offsite passport centers in Metro Manila, except in Aseana Business Park, will be suspended from August 6 to 20 following the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the region.
“All DFA Consular Offices and Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (TOPS) in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be closed from 6 to 20 August 2021. Passport applicants affected by the temporary closure of DFA’s Consular Offices and TOPS facilities during this ECQ period will receive separate email advisories with regard to their new appointment schedule,” the department said in an advisory on Friday night.
Applicants with appointments for Apostille/Authentication Services at Consular Offices in the NCR (Ali Mall Cubao, SM Manila, SM Megamall, and Metro Gaisano Alabang) from August 6 to 20 will keep the original dates and times of their appointments but will be accommodated only at DFA-Aseana.
The DFA said it would continue accepting applicants who have confirmed appointments between August 6 and 20 in its office at the Aseana Business Park in Parañaque City, but no walk-ins would be allowed.
Applicants with urgent travel and appointment needs, meanwhile, may send an email request to cl@dfa.gov.ph with copies of their IDs (current passport or if new applicant, a government-issued ID) and proof of their emergency travel.
However, the DFA reminded that possession of a flight ticket in itself is not considered urgent.
Applicants requesting urgent appointments for Apostille/Authentication Services, on the other hand, may send an email to authentication@dfa.gov.ph with copies of their documents to be Apostilled/authenticated, copies of their identity (current passport or valid government-issued ID), and proof of their emergency.
“This plan of operations may be subject to revisions depending on guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases without prior notice. DFA will update its advisory as may be necessary,” the department said.
The public is also advised to check the DFA website at https://consular.dfa.gov.ph for the latest update on operation schedules, in relation to ECQ and other pandemic-related closures.
“The DFA requests the public’s understanding and cooperation as it continues to limit the number of applicants allowed inside its premises at any given time to reduce the risks for both applicants and personnel due to continuing Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) concerns,” it said. (PNA)
Photo Credit: DFA Official Website
