Consular operations in NCR, some provinces suspended during MECQ

“Passport applicants with confirmed appointments during these dates will be accommodated beginning 19 August until 30 September 2020, Mondays to Fridays, during regular business hours,” the news release read. (Shutterstock photo)

MANILA – Consular operations in Metro Manila and some nearby areas have been suspended on August 4-18 following the reversion to modified enhanced community quarantine in the National Capital Region and four provinces.

In a news release issued Monday, the Department of Foreign Affairs said operations at the Office of Consular Affairs in Aseana Parañaque City, all consular offices in Metro Manila, Malolos (Bulacan), Dasmariñas (Cavite), Antipolo (Rizal), and Laguna will be temporarily suspended.

“Passport applicants with confirmed appointments during these dates will be accommodated beginning 19 August until 30 September 2020, Mondays to Fridays, during regular business hours,” the news release read.

Those seeking authentication, civil registration, and other consular services will be accommodated from Aug. 19 to Sept. 30, 2020.

Passport applicants affected by the MECQ declaration need not reschedule or cancel their confirmed appointments.

For the e-mail addresses and other contact details of the CO, please visit https://consular.dfa.gov.ph/directory#COS.

The department said due to logistical limitations brought by the MECQ, there may be delays in the production, delivery, and availability of passports nationwide and at Philippine embassies and consulates general until the MECQ period ends and its logistics partners’ operations are stabilized.

Passport applicants are advised to prepare contingencies for their travel plans.

Applicants with questions or emergencies may get in touch with the consular office where their appointment was scheduled.

An email may be sent to oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph / passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph or call (+63)2-8234-3488 for passport appointment concerns.

For passport, authentication, and other consular inquiries, they may call the Client Concerns Unit at (+63)977-353-3942 (Globe) or (+63)961-567-9324 (Smart).