DFA consular offices, temporary off-site passport services open in NCR during MECQ

The Department of Foreign Affairs on Friday said its consular offices and temporary off-site passport services (TOPS) in the National Capital Region (NCR) will be open during the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila until August 31.

In an advisory, the DFA said those with appointments for August 6 to 20 when the NCR was under enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) would need to follow the new appointment schedule and location indicated in the email to be sent to them.

As for TOPS applicants who were not able to show up at their appointments before, they should send an email to any of the following addresses request for a new appointment schedule:

• TOPS SM Aura – ncrcentral.so@dfa.gov.ph
• TOPS SM North Edsa – ncreast.so@dfa.gov.ph
• TOPS Robinsons Place Magnolia Place – ncrnortheast.so@dfa.gov.ph
• TOPS Robinsons Place Las Pinas – ncrsouth.so@dfa.gov.ph
• TOPS SM MOA – oca.concerns@dfa.gov.ph

Applicants with appointments from August 23 to 31 must follow their schedule unless they receive a new advisory. The DFA said no walk-in applicants will be entertained.

Those with emergency and urgent medical travel needs meanwhile should send an email to oca.cl@dfa.gov.ph attaching copies of documents such as current passport or a government-issued ID if a new applicant, and proof of emergency travel.

For inquiries and updates, the public may visit the website of the Office of Consular Affairs. 

The DFA appealed for understanding and cooperation as it limits the number of applicants per site and implements alternate working arrangements amid the threat of COVID-19.

NCR and Laguna were placed under MECQ beginning August 21 until August 31, 2021. Earlier this month, both NCR and Laguna were under ECQ until August 20.

ECQ is the strictest form of community quarantine.

MECQ, meanwhile, is the “transition phase” between ECQ and general community quarantine. —KG, GMA News