Consular services of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will be suspended on July 6, Wednesday, to coincide with Eid al-Fitr, one of the most important holidays in the Muslim faith.
READ: July 6 declared holiday for Eid al-Fitr
“In compliance with Proclamation No. 6 issued by the President of the Republic of the Philippines, the transacting public is informed that consular services at the Office of Consular Affairs in ASEANA, mall-based OCA satellite offices in Metro Manila, including DFA Regional Consular Offices will be temporarily suspended on Wednesday, July 06 2016 in observance of Eid’l Fitr, a national holiday by virtue of RA 9177,” DFA said in its announcement.
It will accommodate clients who have scheduled appointments on the said day on July 7 to 15 instead. Those with July 6 appointments for passport and other consular services will have to bring proof of confirmed appointments.
US Embassy closed
In a statement, the Embassy of the United States in Manila also said it will be closed to the public to observe the religious holiday, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
“The Embassy and its affiliated offices will resume their services on Thursday, July 7,” it said.
Malacañang earlier declared July 6 a regular holiday “to bring the religious and cultural significance of Eid al-Fitr to the fore of national consciousness.”
READ: Malacañang declares July 6 a holiday in observance of Eid al-Fitr
The date of the Eid al-Fitr, which also confirms the start of the month of Shawwal—the 10th month of the lunar Islamic calendar—is determined by the first sighting of the crescent moon after sunset.
This is why the date of the holiday is announced late, sometimes almost a month after the Philippine government releases its official list of nationwide holidays. RAM/rga