DFA suspends consular services in Uwan-hit areas; US visa appointment canceled
Consular services of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in select areas were halted on Monday, Nov. 10, due to the onslaught of Super Typhoon Uwan.
The United States Embassy in Manila also announced that all visa appointments and consular operations in Cebu on the same day had been canceled amid Uwan’s severe weather effects.
“The safety of Consular staff and visa applicants is our top priority,” the embassy said, noting the Nov. 10 visa applicants “should check their registered email address for detailed rescheduling instructions.”
The embassy added its Visa Application Center in Parañaque City was also closed for all scheduled photo and fingerprint collection appointments.
In a separate advisory, the DFA said operations in the Office of Consular Affairs-Aseana and Double Dragon Releasing Unit and in the following consular offices were suspended in compliance to government work suspension in Metro Manila and other areas affected by the super typhoon:
• National Capital Region
• Angeles
• Antipolo
• Butuan
• Baguio
• Balanga
• Calasiao
• Candon
• Dasmariñas
• La Union
• Legazpi
• Lipa
• Lucena
• Malolos
• Olongapo
• Pampanga
• Paniqui
• Puerto Princesa
• Santiago
• San Nicolas
• San Pablo
• Tacloban
• Tuguegarao
The DFA said the above-mentioned consular offices rescheduled the confirmed appointments of applicants from Nov. 11 to Dec. 11 of this year.
With the severe weather effects of Uwan, the Embassies of Australia, Japan, Ireland and the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in the Philippines were also closed on Monday.