DFA temporarily suspends consular services in Luzon

March 17, 2020

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Tuesday temporarily suspended consular services in Luzon after President Rodrigo Duterte announced an enhanced community quarantine over Luzon.

The DFA said this covers the Office of Consular Affairs in Aseana, Parañaque City and all consular offices in Luzon.

In an advisory, the DFA also informed passport applicants with confirmed appointments and those seeking authentication and civil registration services will be accommodated once operations resume.

DFA’s consular offices in Visayas and Mindanao would be operating with skeletal workforces and would provide services only to individuals with urgent consular needs, such as overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and those with medical emergencies from Tuesday until further notice.

“This temporary arrangement is in support of the declarations of various local community quarantines and the current nationwide public health efforts to curb the spread of COVID-19,” the advisory said.

There would be no consular operations on Saturday in Visayas and Mindanao until further notice.

The DFA said passport applicants with confirmed appointments from March 9, 2020 to April 8 2020, including those with confirmed appointments on Saturdays, who will be unable to proceed with their appointment as scheduled will be accommodated from April 13 until May 29, 2020, during regular office hours, except on Saturdays.

“Likewise, those seeking authentication and civil registration services are also advised to avail of these services during the same period,” the DFA said.

“Passport applicants are advised that passport deliveries may be disrupted or delayed and they should prepare contingencies for their travel plans,” it added.

Applicants with questions or emergencies may contact the Consular Office where their appointment was scheduled. The public can also email oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph or call 86519400 for questions or inquiries. DMS