The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has opened a new consular office in Antipolo City in Rizal province.
The new office, inaugurated last November 21 at SM Cherry Foodarama, is the DFA’s 31st consular office in the country, the agency said in a statement on Friday.
According to the DFA, Antipolo City consular office is one of its six offices that were established in partnership with SM Supermalls.
Assistant Secretary Neil Frank Ferrer, who led the inauguration, said the opening of the new office would help serve people in the Calabarzon region, and was seen to alleviate demand in other DFA consular offices in nearby areas.
Ferrer noted the establishment of such consular offices was in line with the DFA’s efforts to bring services closer to the public.
The Antipolo City consular office has started accepting passport applications through the DFA’s passport appointment system starting November 12. /kga