Some consular offices in Visayas and Mindanao that were temporarily closed due to the onslaught of typhoon Odette have resumed operations but will only cater to limited applicants, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Wednesday, Dec. 22.
In a statement, the DFA said the consular offices (COs) that resumed operation in Visayas and Mindanao will only cater to those who are scheduled from Dec. 21.
These are the offices in Bacolod, Butuan, Cagayan De Oro, Clarin, Davao, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Puerto Princesa, Tacloban, Tagum, and Zamboanga.
Applicants scheduled on Dec. 17 are advised to "wait for their new schedule before proceeding to the COs."
The Foreign Affairs department further told applicants affected by the closure on Dec. 17 due to the typhoon that "they will be contacted for the rescheduling of their appointments as soon as the department has established contact with the COs and as soon as the situation stabilizes."
"In the meantime, the department urges applicants to prioritize their safety and closely adhere to local government safety and precautionary measures set in place following the typhoon’s aftermath," the agency said.
On Dec. 17, the DFA-Office of Consular Affairs suspended work operations in several consular offices as a precaution against the effects of typhoon Odette.