DFA to open first satellite office in Manila

MANILA, Philippines - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is set to open its first consular satellite office in Manila, DFA Undersecretary for Administration Rafael Seguis said yesterday.

Seguis said the soft opening and dry run of the DFA-National Capital Region East at the SM Megamall are slated on Aug. 29 and 30 and on Sept. 1. On these days, 500 passport applicants will be accommodated.

“The opening of DFA-NCR East is the continuing fruition of the President’s and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to bringing world class and convenient service to the public,” he said.

DFA consular offices have already opened at the Pacific mall in Mandaue, Cebu; Robinsons Star Mills mall in San Fernando, Pampanga; and Marquee mall in Clark, Pampanga.

“We shall not rest on our laurels and we shall undertake more private-public partnership (PPP) endeavors for the benefit of the Filipino people,” Seguis added.

The DFA-NCR East will be open to the public from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mondays to Saturdays, for both processing and releasing and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays for releasing only.

Only applicants with scheduled appointments and senior citizens with valid proof of age will be accommodated.

The DFA said the new guidelines it released would make passport application easier and more convenient for Filipinos before the end of the year.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario has given the DFA Office of Consular Affairs until Dec. 31 to put in place a dedicated call center that would allow passport applicants to choose the date and time they would like to be accommodated in any DFA consular office nationwide.

Del Rosario said the proposed appointment system will complement the ongoing transfer of DFA consular offices to shopping malls nationwide under PPP arrangements that will save the government an estimated P1.04 billion over the next 10 years.

The DFA aims to open 13 consular offices in Metro Manila and other key cities before the end of the year.