DFA Opens Consular Office in Candon City 

In the photo (left to right): Candon City Vice Mayor Atty. Kristelle Singson, Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo, Candon City Mayor Eric D. Singson, and Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias Singson, led the ribbon cutting. (Photo by DFA-OPD Royce Vann Paul Pantua)

CANDON 26 June 2024 - The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), in partnership with the City Government of Candon, officially opened its 39th Consular Office (CO) in Candon City, Ilocos Sur on 15 June 2024. The inauguration was led by DFA Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Jesus S. Domingo, Ilocos Sur Governor Jeremias “Jerry” C. Singson, Candon City Mayor Eric D. Singson, and Candon City Vice Mayor Atty. Kristelle G. Singson. 

Other attendees included DFA-OCA Consular Offices Coordinating Division Officer-in-Charge and OCA’s Administrative Officer Marx Ian A. Rulloda, CO Candon’s Cluster Coordinator Victor Fernan F. Coson, CSC’s Regional Director Hedy Jose B. Lardizabal, PSA OIC-Deputy National Statistician Clemente S. Manaog, and other Mayors from various municipalities in Ilocos Sur. 

In his speech, Undersecretary Domingo underscored the importance of collaboration between national and local governments in making services readily accessible by the public. He stated that the establishment of CO Candon greatly reduced the burden on over 700,000 residents of Ilocos Sur and neighboring areas by providing local access to passports and other vital DFA services, thus eliminating the need for long-distance travel. He added that DFA had ongoing plans to open more COs in the country to expand its reach. 

Undersecretary Domingo took the occasion to convey his appreciation to Candon City Mayor Singson and to DFA personnel, particularly Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito S. Cruz and Deputy Assistant Secretary Arman R. Talbo, for their contributions. 

After the ceremony, CO Candon City processed passport applications for 15 walk-in clients, including a 79-year-old senior citizen and a family with three minor children. 

The milestone event coincided with Mayor Eric Singson’s 76th birthday. 

CO Candon City offers passport services to the public from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, at Level 1, Candon City Arena, Bagani Campo, Bypass Road, Candon City, Ilocos Sur. END