DFA in Ilocos Norte limits passport application processing during MECQ

LAOAG CITY — Only Ilocos Norte residents with confirmed appointments will be accommodated for the processing of passport applications from Aug. 1 to 15 at the consular office of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) in San Nicolas town.

The DFA said the limitation was made on the request of the provincial government due to the imposition of stricter modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) in the province for two weeks.

All passport applicants of the consular office in the province whose appointments fall during the MECQ period and are coming from outside Ilocos Norte are advised not to proceed with their scheduled appointments, it added.

Affected applicants are asked to coordinate with the DFA for appointment rescheduling when the provincial government would allow entry of non-residents to the province.

Ilocos Norte will revert to a two-week MECQ starting Aug. 1 to contain the spread of COVID-19 in the province.

During this period, the provincial government will also temporarily stop accepting returning residents. It will not also accommodate regional flights from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia for Filipinos landing in the Laoag International Airport due to health restrictions.

The provincial bus line GV Florida Transport Inc. is also suspending its operations while Ilocos Norte is under MECQ for two weeks, the company announced on Saturday.