DFA, City Government of Kidapawan Sign a Memorandum of Agreement for the Resumption of Operations of Consular Office in Cotabato

From left: Office of Consular Affairs Assistant Secretary Henry S. Bensurto, Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo, and the Head of the Consular Office in Kidapawan Mangondaya during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement.

PASAY CITY 22 August 2022 — The Department of Foreign Affairs, represented by Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo, and the City Government of Kidapawan, represented by the Chief Local Executive Jose Paulo M. Evangelista, signed a Memorandum of Agreement on the resumption and transfer to another location of the DFA Consular Office (CO) in Kidapawan City through a virtual ceremony held simultaneously at  the Office of Consular Affairs in Aseana, Parañaque City and the Kidapawan City Hall Compound, City of Kidapawan on 19 August 2022. The MOA signing was witnessed by Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Henry S. Bensurto, Jr., and the Head of Consular Office Nadjefah Mangondaya.

The resumption of operations of CO in Kidapawan brings greater avenue for mutual cooperation and collaboration between the DFA and the City Government of Kidapawan especially in bringing consular services closer to our kababayan in Kidapawan and nearby areas. The common goal is to ensure the public of a more efficient and convenient delivery of passports and other consular services to its constituents.

“The relocation of CO Kidapawan to new premises provided by the City Government of Kidapawan will enhance the visit experience of the transacting public,” said Undersecretary Domingo. “The DFA will embark on other projects soon to enhance the quality of its services. We are preparing for the opening of more consular offices - one in Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao,” the Undersecretary added.

The Consular Office located in Alim Street, Barangay Poblacion, Kidapawan City will start its operations and will be open to the public on  06 September 2022 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Mondays to Fridays. It will provide ePassport and Assistance-to-Nationals (ATN) services.

The following attended the event virtually: Ms. Divina M. Fuentes, Ms. Annielyn D. Dulay; Ms. Michelle Fontanilla, and Mr. Adrian Gabriel Aragon from the City Government of Kidapawan;  Acting Chairperson of RDC XII and the Regional Director of NEDA XII Teresita Socorro C. Ramos; NEDA RO XII ARD Carmel P. Matabang; Mr. Jose Anthony Laurent P. Octavio; and Administrative Office of CO Kidapawan Maysharah Taluno.

The City Government also showcased their preparedness for this partnership through a virtual tour of the consular office premises during the MOA signing. The virtual tour may be accessed through this LINK. END