DFA suspends consular services in typhoon-affected regions

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The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has suspended its operations in several consular offices situated in Northern and Central Luzon as typhoon “Ompong” continues to threaten the regions.

In an advisory issued on Friday, DFA suspended the consular services from September 14 to 15 in the following offices:

• Angeles, Pampanga
• Calasiao, Pangasinan
• San Fernando, Pampanga
• San Fernando, La Union
• Santiago, Isabela
• San Nicolas, Ilocos Norte
• Tuguegarao, Cagayan

The DFA said applicants with confirmed passport appointments on the affected dates will be accommodated on a later schedule, which will be announced once the consular office resumes operations.

Stormy weather is expected over Northern and Central Luzon while ocassional heavy rains are expected over National Capital Region and Visayas throughout the weekend, according to the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa).

According to Pagasa’s latest severe weather bulletin, “Ompong” packs maximum sustained winds of 205 kilometers per hour (kph) and gustiness of up to 255 kph moving west northwest at 20 kph. 

It was last spotted at 595 km Southeast of Tuguegarao City as of 7 a.m. Friday.

“Ompong” is expected to make landfall in Cagayan-Isabela area on Saturday morning. /jpv

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