DFA and Pacific Mall Corporation Partnership Continues in Cebu MOA Signing
CEBU 06 September 2023 – Filipinos can continue to count on passport services in the Quezon and Bicol provinces, thanks to the renewed partnership between the Department of Foreign Affairs and Pacific Mall Corporation formalized in a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) Signing Ceremony.
DFA Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo and PMC President Dr. Edward S. Gaisano signed two MOAs renewing the respective leases of DFA’s Consular Offices in Lucena City and Legazpi City with their partner host PMC host malls. DFA Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) Executive director Christian L. de Jesus and PMC General Manager Ma. Roceo R. Rito also signed the MOAs as witnesses.
The lease renewal will be effective for 5 years under both agreements.
“We are signing the renewal of our partnership here in Mandaue for not just one, but two Consular Offices in Pacific Mall sites located in two different regions in the Philippines,” said Usec. Domingo in his remarks. “What this shows is the breadth and expansive coverage of the DFA and PMC’s enduring and decades-long partnership in serving the Filipino people.”
PMC hosted the MOA signing ceremony at its flagship mall Mandaue. Also present in the event was DFA OCA Consular Offices Coordinating Division Acting Director Mark B. Ponce My Foods and Vicsal Foundation President Marco eric G. Ang De Leon, PMC Corporate Secretary Margaret G. Ang, PMC VP Group CFO & Director Aljim C. Jamandre, PMC Corporate Lawyer Atty. Dalisay Catedrilla, PMC Sr. Leasing & Lease Admin Manager Ms. Minerva Z. Himor.
This partnership of service between DFA and PMC has benefited Filipinos even through the challenges of a global pandemic. Since 2020 CO in Legazpi City in Albay Province has issued 138,643 passports, while CO in Lucena City in Quezon Province has issued 142,271 passports. With the easing of travel restrictions and the lifting of the public health emergency in late July, consular services in the above COs added nearly 300,000 to the number of Filipinos who enjoy their right to travel internationally.
CO Legazpi (located at 3rd Floor Pacific Mall-Legazpi, F. Imperial St., cor. Circumferential Rd., Brgy. Capantawan, Landco Business Park, Legazpi City) and CO Lucena (3rd Floor Landco Pacific Mall, ML Tagarao St., Brgy. 3, Lucena City) are both open to the public from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday and will be able to serve hundreds of applicants daily.
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DFA Usec. Jesus S. Domingo and PMC President Dr. Edward S. Gaisano signed the Memorandum of Agreements renewing the lease of consular offices in Pacific Malls in Lucena City, Quezon, and Legazpi City in Albay. Witnessed by DFA OCA Deputy Assistant Secretary Christian L. De Jesus, DFA COCD Acting Director Mark Ponce and PMC General Manager Ma. Roceo R. Rito, and other PMC officials.
Usec. Domingo highlighted the “great value” of partners like PMC in DFA’s mission during his closing remarks
From left: PMC President Dr. Edward S. Gaisano, Director and Group General Counsel Atty. Vincent E. Tomaneng, Myfoods and Vicsal Foundation President Marco Eric G. Ang De Leon, DFA Usec. Jesus S. Domingo, DFA OCA DAS Christian L. De Jesus
From left: PMC General Manager Ma. Roceo R. Rito, PMC Corporate Lawyer Atty. Dalisay Catedrilla, Director and Group General Counsel Atty Vincent E. Tomaneng, DFA COCD Acting Dir Mark Ponce, Usec. Jesus S. Domingo, PMC President Dr. Edward S. Gaisano, DFA OCA Executive Dir. Christian L. de Jesus, Myfoods and Vicsal Foundation President Marco Eric G. Ang De Leon, PMC Sr. Leasing & Lease Admin Manager Minerva Z. Himor
(Photo courtesy of Pacific Mall Corporation)
(Photo courtesy of Pacific Mall Corporation)