OCA Holds Meeting with Partner-Agencies on Visa Matters
Office of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Neil Frank R. Ferrer welcomes the attendees of the meeting with partner-agencies on Visa matters held at the Citadines Bay City Manila on 18 December 2019. (DFA photo by Philip Adrian G. Fernandez)
PASAY CITY 16 January 2020 — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), through its Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) – Visa Division, held its meeting with partner-agencies on Visa matters at the Citadines Bay City Manila on 18 December 2019.
Resource persons from the Bureau of Immigration (BI), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), Philippine Retirement Authority (PRA), Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA), and the Board of Investments (BOI) of the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) provided updates on relevant matters, procedures and requirements related to the Philippine visa.
The meeting was attended by officials and staff of DFA’s Office of the Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns (OUCSCC) and OCA.
In his opening remarks, Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Neil Frank R. Ferrer highlighted the crucial role of the Department’s partner-agencies in the effective formulation and implementation of policies related to the entry and stay of foreign nationals in the Philippines.
“As you know, the DFA continues to coordinate and work together with you (partner-agencies) in promoting Philippine tourism and in encouraging travel and investments into the country. In order for the Department to have a holistic approach in undertaking the aforesaid mandate, we need your support in providing us updates on relevant matters, procedures and requirements related to the Philippine visa,” Assistant Secretary Ferrer said.
OCA’s meeting with partner-agencies on Visa matters was organized to discuss latest information and updates on the procedures and requirements as well as relevant issues related to the formulation and implementation of Philippine visa policies. END
Assistant Secretary Ferrer (seated, center), resource persons from invited partner-agencies, and DFA officials and staff pose for a group photo. (DFA photo by Philip Adrian G. Fernandez)
Top left photo: Bureau of Immigration (BI) Officers Atty. Candy Tan and Mr. Anthony Cabrera.
Top right photo: Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE) Senior Labor and Employment Officer Cheryl Pesigan.
Middle left photo: Philippine Retirement Athority (PRA) Client Relations and Program Development Division Chief Mervin A. Magbuhat.
Middle right photo: Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency (PNVSCA) Chief Volunteer Service Officer Ela Victoria F. Sarmag.
Bottom photo: Board of Investment (BOI) Management Services Officer-in-Charge Executive Director Erlinda F. Arcellana. (DFA photo by Philip Adrian G. Fernandez)
Visa Division Acting Director Melvin C. Almonguera conveys his query to one of the resource persons during the question and answer portion of the meeting. (DFA photo by Philip Adrian G. Fernandez)
Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Brigido D. Dulay delivers the Closing Remarks for the meeting. (DFA photo by Philip Adrian G. Fernandez)