The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said that its consular offices (CO) in the National Capital Region (NCR) and all Temporary Off-Site Passport Services (TOPS) facilities will now resume operations after the region was downgraded to a less stringent quarantine classification.
The DFA made the announcement after President Duterte approved downgrading Metro Manila and Laguna to the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from ECQ beginning August 21, and Bataan beginning August 23.
In its advisory, the DFA said that applicants who had passport appointments from August 6 to 20 must follow the new appointment schedule and/or location that they received via email.
It advised TOPS applicants who did not show up at their rescheduled appointment to not show up at their original TOPS locations, nor at any DFA consular offices as they will not be entertained.
Concerned applicants were asked to email the following addresses to request a new appointment schedule:
- TOPS SM Aura – [email protected]
- TOPS SM North Edsa – [email protected]
- TOPS Robinsons Place Magnolia Place – [email protected]
- TOPS Robinsons Place Las Pinas – [email protected]
- TOPS SM MOA – [email protected]
For applicants with appointments from August 23 to 31, they must follow their appointment schedule, unless they receive a specific advisory not to do so due to unforeseen closure of a specific CO/TOPS due to disinfection or mandatory quarantine, among others.
Walk-in applicants will also not be entertained.
Meanwhile, applicants with emergency and urgent medical travel needs are advised to send an email request to [email protected] with copies of their identification documents (current passport or if new applicant, a government-issued ID) and proof of their emergency travel.
The possession of a flight ticket in itself is not considered urgent.
According to the DFA, the plan of operations may be subject to revisions depending on future guidelines from the Inter-agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.
The agency urged the public to regularly check the Office of Consular Affairs’ website https://consular.dfa.gov.ph for updates on the operation schedules, in relation to M/ECQ and other COVID-19 pandemic-related closures.
The DFA will likewise update its advisory, as necessary.
"The DFA requests the public's understanding and cooperation as it continues to limit the number of applicants allowed inside its premises at any given time, and as it implements alternate working arrangements to reduce the risks for both applicants and personnel due to continuing COVID-19 concerns," it said.