DFA suspends consular services in Cebu due to quake

Tags: Cebu City , Department of Foreign Affairs
Concrete structures fall on vehicles in Cebu quake, many wrecked
Concrete structures fall on vehicles in Cebu quake, many wrecked. Workers use a crane to lift a concrete slab that fell on a van in Cebu City during a magnitude-7.2 earthquake in the Visayas region early Tuesday morning, October 15. At least 32 people were reported killed when the earthquake destroyed buildings in and around one of the Philippines' major tourist hubs. Reuters
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced Wednesday that its Regional Consular Office (RCO) in Cebu has suspended until further notice its consular services, including passport services, due to the magnitude 7.2 earthquake that hit parts of Visayas. 
 
In a statement, the DFA, in cooperation with the management of Pacific Mall, said it is now "taking the appropriate measures" so that the RCO opens "in the soonest possible time." 
 
"Normal operations will resume once the safety of the public is ensured," it said.
 
The RCO is housed inside the Pacific Mall in Mandaue City, Cebu.
 
In the meantime, the DFA said those with inquiries or other concerns can contact RCO Cebu using its hotline 09173187007 or its e-mail address dfacebu@yahoo.com.
 
Aside from this, it said the department can also be reached at the following: telephone numbers (02) 536-000 and (02) 834-4000 loc 2386 and e-mail addresses passportconcerns@dfa.gov.ph and ppt_do@yahoo.com.  
 
Messages can also be sent to the Passport Division’s Facebook page, Philippine Passport, said the DFA. —Kimberly Jane Tan/KG, GMA News

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