DFA opens mall-based consular office in Lipa, Batangas



ANDREI MEDINA, GMA NEWS 
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Wednesday opened its eighth mall-based consular office at the Robinsons Place in Lipa City, Batangas as part of its goal to make passport applications more convenient for the public.

In a news release, the DFA said the inauguration was led by DFA Undersecretary Rafael E. Seguis, Senior Special Assistant Rowena Sanchez and Spokesperson Raul Hernandez.
 
City Mayor Meynard A. Sabili represented by his Chief-of-Staff, Atty. Virgilio Macasaet, Jr., and Robinsons Land Corporation General Manager Arlene G. Magtibay were also present during the inauguration.
 
In a text message to GMA News Online on Thursday, Hernandez invited the public to experience the convenience of applying for a passport at the new office.
 
“We wish to invite Batanguenos and all our kababayan in the Southern Tagalog to check out our newly-opened office at Robinsons Place Lipa City,” he said.
 
“DFA – Lipa City is further proof of our commitment to improve the delivery of services of the DFA,” he added.
 
Hernandez also expressed the department’s gratitude to the sectors that made the project possible.

In a separate text message to GMA News Online on Thursday, Seguis said: “The DFA is pleased to announce that RCO Lipa is now open for business in the new convenient and accessible Robinson’s Place Lipa City,” he said. 

“This is part of our continuing commitment of bringing DFA services closer to the people especially in Batangas and Region 4,” he added.
 
“Many thanks to our partners, both in the private and government sectors, who continue to help us reach the goal of high-quality and more accessible service,” he said.

In the DFA news release, Seguis said, “The Department of Foreign Affairs is now going full-blast with its initiative to bring our consular services closer to the people.”
 
“This is the remarkable outcome of the Aquino administration's initiative to utilize public-private partnerships, which Secretary del Rosario has implemented in the DFA, to improve the delivery of our services to the Filipino public,” he said.
 
“Indeed, the transfer and opening of DFA consular offices in malls would not be possible without the support and cooperation of the private sector,” 

 
 
The Lipa consular office is expected to serve an estimated 400 passport applicants daily.
 
DFA-Lipa City will be open from:
 
Monday – Saturday 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (Passport releasing only)
 
The DFA recently opened passport offices at:
  • Robinsons Galleria: September 19
  • Robinsons Place, General Santos City: September 21

The offices to be opened in the following months will be in:
 
  • Iloilo
  • Laoag
  • Butuan
  • Baguio
  • Legaspi
  • Bacolod
  • Tacloban
  • Dumaguete
  • Puerto Princesa
  • Cagayan de Oro
 
For inquiries on how to avail of passport and other consular services at DFA-Lipa City, the public may call (043) 7220578 or send an e-mail to batangas.rco@dfa.gov.ph.
 - VVP, GMA News

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