DFA closed Monday

MANILA—The Department of Foreign Affairs-Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA) will be closed tomorrow,  Monday.

Malacañang has declared Monday, Chinese New Year, a special nonworking holiday.

The DFA-OCA in a statement said it would be closed for passport processing and documents authentication.

It will resume passport and consular services on Jan. 24, Tuesday.

Meanwhile, although the United Nations expressed disappointment over the poor response by member states to its appeal for aid to Filipino victims of Tropical Storm Sendong, the Department of Foreign Affairs said Saturday many countries and foreign communities sent direct donations to the Philippines amounting to about P1.12 billion.

The DFA said it was “pleased and thankful” for donations which continue to pour in from various parts of the world, already amounting to nearly $25 million (about P1.21 billion).

On the other hand, the UN’s fund-raising initiative in December has attracted $7.4 million (about P322 million). The UN’s target was $28.6 million (about P1.26 million). /inquirer