DFA Cebu back in operations for passport, consular services

MANILA, Philippines – After being closed due to the risk of aftershocks, the Regional Consular Office (RCO) of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) located on the fourth floor of a mall in Cebu has reopened.

“The DFA RCO in Cebu announced today that it has resumed full passport and consular services after receiving assurances from the Pacific Mall management in Mandaue City that the building is structurally sound even after last Tuesday’s earthquake,” the DFA said in a statement Thursday.

“The regional office also announced that it would conduct regular operations on October 20 (Sunday) to make up for the temporary suspension due to the earthquake,” it said.

Bohol was struck by a magnitude-7.2 earthquake early Tuesday morning killing at least 150 people and affecting more than 3 million people throughout Central Visayas including Cebu and Siquijor.

Centuries-old churches in Bohol were turned to rubble while roads, bridges and buildings were severely damaged.

The operations of the DFA RCO were temporarily suspended Wednesday to give way to city engineers and inspectors to ensure the structural integrity of the Pacific Mall.

“Bearing in mind the public safety, DFA Cebu with due diligence will manage the number of passport applicants entering the building,” DFA said.

“Services had actually resumed Wednesday with releasing of passports and attending to emergency travel requests.  The RCO also kept its communication lines with the public open through its 24/7 Hotline and the Department’s social media accounts in Facebook and e-mail,” it added.