DFA shortens Metro Manila passport services amid COVID-19 threat

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has shortened the operating hours for passport processing services in Metro Manila and will temporarily operate with a skeletal force to minimize the risk of new coronavirus infection.

All DFA consular offices in Metro Manila, such as NCR-West, NCR-East, NCR-South, NCR-Northeast, NCR-Central, NCR-North, as well as its main office at the ASEANA Business Park in Parañaque City, will have a lean workforce and will only provide consular services to those with urgent needs, such as Overseas Filipino Workers and those with medical cases from March 16 to April 12.

"This temporary arrangement is in accordance with the Stringent Social Distancing Measures in the National Capital Region (NCR) imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) effective March 15, 2020," a DFA advisory released on Saturday said.

The DFA's NCR-Central office at Robinson’s Galleria will operate Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. while all the other passport hubs in Metro Manila will be open Mondays to Fridays, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Meanwhile, the DFA Office of Consular Affairs at the ASEANA Business Park will operate Mondays to Fridays, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. only.

Saturday passport processing operations nationwide will also be suspended beginning March 21 until further notice.

"In accordance with the directives of the IATF-EID resolution on social distancing to minimize the possible transmission of the virus, applicants who have no urgent need for consular services, including those with confirmed passport appointments, are requested to defer their visits to these Consular Offices until the community quarantine period ends," the advisory said.

The government has suspended domestic travel to and from Metro Manila for a month and declared community quarantines in the capital to fight the virus, which has already been declared a pandemic by the World Health Organization.

Mass gatherings are banned while school has been suspended for another month. Most government work has been suspended and private companies were asked to enforce a flexible work schedule under the new restrictions to curb the virus, which has so far infected 64 and killed eight, including a Chinese man and Filipinos.

Passport applicants with confirmed appointments from March 9, and who were not able to show up during their appointment due to COVID-19 concerns and the community quarantine, will be accommodated from April 13 until May 29 during regular office hours, except on Saturdays, the DFA said.

Those seeking Authentication and Civil Registration services at the DFA, on the other hand, are also advised to avail of these services after the same period. — MDM, GMA News