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Department of Foreign Affairs - Republic of the Philippines
Department of Foreign Affairs - Republic of the Philippines
08/31/2012 | Press release
DFA Formally Inaugurates its New Consular Office at SM Megamall
distributed by noodls on 08/31/2012 07:54
DFA Formally Inaugurates its New Consular Office at SM Megamall
Written by Public Information Services Unit
Friday, 31 August 2012 17:11
31 August 2012 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA)
formally inaugurated its new consular satellite office at the
SM Megamall in Mandaluyong City this afternoon.
The new consular office, DFA-NCR East, is the first consular
office to open in a major shopping mall in Metro Manila and
is located at the 7th Floor of the
newly-constructed Building C of SM Megamall.
The ribbon-cutting ceremony, marking the formal opening of
DFA-NCR East, was led by DFA Undersecretary for
Administration Rafael E. Seguis, SM Supermalls President
Annie S. Garcia and representatives of the Local Government
Office of Mandaluyong City, Councilors Francisco Esteban and
Alex Sta. Maria.
The highly-anticipated event was well-attended by officials
from the DFA and other government agencies, officials from
the local government of the City of Mandaluyong, and Senior
Executives of the SM Group of Companies.
The opening of DFA-NCR East is one of several passport
offices the DFA will open in shopping malls nationwide under
the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements being
promoted by the administration of President Benigno S. Aquino
III.
It may be recalled that last January 16, Foreign Affairs
Secretary Albert F. del Rosario and SM Prime Holdings
President Hans Sy signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for
the hosting in SM malls of five consular offices in Metro
Manila and in other parts of the country. This PPP deal with
mall giant SM aims to bring to more than P1-billion the
savings to be generated by its initiative to transfer its
passport offices to shopping malls nationwide while also
achieving its objective of bringing consular services closer
to the public.
The PPP arrangements with SM will cover the transfer and
hosting of existing consular offices in Davao, Baguio and
Batangas and the opening of extension offices at the SM City
in Manila.
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DFA Formally Inaugurates its New Consular Office at SM Megamall
Written by Public Information Services Unit
Friday, 31 August 2012 17:11
"The opening of DFA-NCR East is the continuing fruition
of the President and the Secretary of Foreign Affairs'
commitment to bringing world class and convenient service to
the public," Undersecretary Seguis said.
"For the DFA, today's event is special to us not
only because we are opening a new consular office, but also
because today, we are reaffirming our commitment to improve
our passport services and to bring our services closer to the
public," he added.
Beginning September 3, 1,000 applicants shall be accommodated
at DFA-NCR East which 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 shall be accommodated.
To schedule an appointment, please log on to www.passport.com.ph
or to www.megamall.pa ssport.com.ph
or call (02) 737-1000. DFA-NCR East will also
provide authentication services to the public. END
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