DFA intensifies fight vs passport fraud, human trafficking

MANILA, Philippines – The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) recently held its 2013 Regional Consular Offices Consultation Meeting (RCOCM) to improve its services to the public and its coordination with concerned government agencies.

The meeting, which was attended by the heads of the DFA’s 22 regional offices and National Capital Region extension offices, “discussed various important issues aimed at improving consular services” DFA said in a statement.

The issues discussed focused on “strengthening and developing awareness against passport fraud and authentication irregularities, aiding concerned government agencies in the fight against human trafficking, efficient handling of assistance-to-nationals cases in the regions, public diplomacy, and enhancing internal control systems,” it said.

DFA undersecretary for Administration Rafael Seguis called on the attendees to be aware of the public’s high expectations of the services the DFA provides to the public during his opening statement of the three-day meet held from March 21 to 23.

Seguis “urged the heads of the RCOs and EOs to continue improving the services rendered from their respective offices,” the statement said.

DFA Secretary Albert Del Rosario, who attended the first day of the event, greeted the officials and expressed his gratitude for the “significant improvements in the delivery of passport services.”

He urged all the participants to “strive harder to provide better services to the public” because “there is still room for improvement.” Matikas Santos, INQUIRER.net