DFA cancels consular services on December holidays, New Year

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) advised the public that it will be suspending its consular services during 2015 December holidays and New Year 2016.

As per Proclamation 831, s. 2014 and Proclamation 1105, s. 2015, the DFA canceled its consular services over the holidays. There will be no passport, authentication, “red ribbon,” consular civil registration and other related services in the DFA Office of Consular Affairs-Aseana and in all DFA Satellite Offices in Metro Manila and all DFA Regional Consular Offices.

In its advisory, DFA also said DFA Satellite Offices in the National Capital Region shall be closed on December 12 and in the following dates:

• Dec. 24, 2015 (Thursday) – Additional Special Non-Working Day
• Dec. 25, 2015 (Friday) – Christmas Day (Regular Holiday)
• Dec. 30, 2015 (Wednesday) – Rizal Day (Regular Holiday)
• Dec. 31, 2015 (Thursday) – Last day of the year (Special Non-Working Day)
• Jan. 1, 2016 (Friday) – New Year’s Day (Regular Holiday)
• Jan. 2, 2016 (Saturday) – Additional Special Non-Working Day

The DFA advised the public to email their passport-related queries to [email protected], while  those with authentication (a.k.a., “red ribbon”) queries may e-mail [email protected]. Queries related to Reports of Births, Marriages, and Deaths on the other hand may be sent to [email protected].

“The DFA is grateful for the public’s constant support and assures everyone of its unwavering commitment in improving its frontline consular services,” the DFA said.