DFA Opens 36th Consular Office in Paniqui, Tarlac

From left to right: Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Neil Frank R. Ferrer; Representative of the 1st District of the Province of Tarlac Congressman Carlos O. Cojuangco; Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Brigido J. Dulay; Municipality of Paniqui Mayor Leonardo Roxas; Senior Vice President of Waltermart Shopping Center Mgt. Inc, Mr. Jerico C. Buñing. (Photo by Nilo K. Palaya)

PANIQUI, TARLAC 30 October 2020 – Responding to the call for more accessible and efficient consular services to the public, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) opened its Consular Office (CO) at Walter Mart in Paniqui, Tarlac in an inauguration ceremony led by Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Brigido J. Dulay, participated in by Congressman Carlos O. Cojuanco; Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Neil Ferrer; the Mayor of Paniqui; executives from Waltermart and other officials today, 30 October 2020.

CO Paniqui, as the newest addition to DFA’s roster of consular offices, is DFA's 36th consular office to be opened nationwide and is the first consular office opened in partnership with Walter Mart.

During his remarks, Undersecretary Dulay hailed the opening of CO Paniqui as a significant milestone especially coming in the midst of a global pandemic and travel restrictions. “The opening of CO Paniqui is a testament to the resolve of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte and Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro L. Locsin, Jr. to bring public services to our people, whatever the challenges may be,” Undersecretary Dulay said. 

According to Assistant Secretary Ferrer, the new consular office in Paniqui is the fruit of a successful cooperation between various government agencies and the private sector to better serve the Filipino people.

CO Paniqui was opened to serve the people of Tarlac and neighboring provinces, especially considering the high population density in the area. The Consular Office is already accepting passport applicants through its online appointment system (https://www.passport.gov.ph/) and is open to serve the public Mondays through Friday (except local and national holidays), from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. END

Front row, from left to right: Foreign Affairs Assistant for Consular Affairs Secretary Neil Frank R. Ferrer; Representative of the 1st District of the Province of Tarlac Congressman Carlos O. Cojuangco; Undersecretary DFA Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular ConcernsBrigido J. Dulay; Municipality of Paniqui Mayor Leonardo Roxas; Senior Vice President of Waltermart Shopping Center Mgt. Inc, Mr. Jerico C. Buñing. 

Back Row: Mr. Arthur L. Blas, Administrative Officer, CO Paniqui; Mr. Duke A. Villanueva, Ms. Jackielou-Mary N. Gan, Principal Assistant, DFA - Office of Consular Affairs; Ms. Ma. Regina D.V. Manalo, Officer-in-Charge, CO Paniqui; Mr. Aniel Bon Santillan, Municipal Administrator, Paniqui; Vice Mayor Aida D. Roxas II, Paniqui; Ms. Abigail Pineda District Manager - North Cluster of Walter Mart Shopping Center Management Inc. (Photo by Nilo K. Palaya)

Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Brigido J. Dulay. (Photo by Nilo K. Palaya)