DFA CO Olongapo Inaugurates New Consular Office

From left to right: Head of Consular Office Olongapo Daniel Tanwangco, SM VP Operations Engr. Junias Eusebio, City Mayor Atty. Rolen Paulino Jr., BCDA Director Rolen Paulino, DFA-OCA Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito Cruz, SBMA Director Cynthia Paulino, Representative from the Office of Congressman Jefferson Khonghun– John Joshua Khonghun, SAVP North Division Mall Operations Johanna Rupisan, OCA-COCD Director Conrado Demdem Jr., and LGU City Councilors at the back. (Photo Courtesy by OCA-PITSS)

OLONGAPO 06 January 2025 — The Department of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs (DFA - OCA), in partnership with the Provincial Government of Olongapo and SM Prime Holdings Inc., opened its 42nd Consular Office (CO) in Olongapo City on 05 December 2024. The CO inauguration ceremony and official launch were led by OCA Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Jr., City Mayor Attorney Rolen C. Paulino Jr., and SM VP for Operations Engineer Junias M. Eusebio. 

The opening of the new Consular Office reaffirms the commitment of the DFA-OCA to bring consular services closer to the Filipino people not just in the country but also overseas. The new CO is located on the second floor of SM Olongapo Central which could provide service for about 400 citizens—one of the largest Consular Offices opened by the DFA-OCA.

The program commenced with opening remarks from OCA, LGU Olongapo, and a representative from SM Prime Holdings Inc., followed by the blessing of the new premises. 

As emphasized by Mayor the Atty. Paulino stated in his speech that the opening of the new CO aims to benefit the citizens of Olongapo and the whole province of Zambales. “The opening of CO Olongapo is bringing services closer to the people. And it will not only help the citizens of Olongapo. It will also help the locals of Zambales, Bataan (and other nearby provinces).” Moreover, it is also expected to boost the City's tourism and contribute to overall economic development.

City Mayor Paulino stated in his speech that the new CO will be able to provide consular services not just for Olongapo citizens, but for the whole of Zambales. Also, it will contribute to boosting tourism. Moreover, SM VP Engr. Eusebio mentioned that this initiative was able to broaden the SM establishments to more than just shopping and entertainment– it extends to serve the public. Further, CO Olongapo was the second CO to open in partnership with SM, and the fifth and last Consular Office opened this year, 2024 by the OCA-COCD.

The first passport applicant is a 72-year-old woman from Subic. She stated that the opening of CO Olongapo made it convenient for her to process her passport and commends the office's functional space.

Further, Assistant Secretary Cruz calls CO Olongapo “a mini Aseana and one of the best Consular Offices in the whole country” which is planned to offer both passport and authentication services in the future.  He also expressed gratitude to all partners and stakeholders for the warm welcome on the new CO and committed to accessible, efficient, and quality consular services.

CO Olongapo offers its services to the public from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, Monday to Friday, at Level 2, SM Olongapo Central. END

From left to right: First Applicant of CO Olongapo, City Mayor Atty. Ronel Paulino Jr., DFA-OCA Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito Cruz, Head of CO Olongapo Daniel Tanwangco, and OCA-COCD Director Conrado Demdem JR. (Photo Courtesy by OCA-PITSS)

In the middle ASEC Adelio Angelito Cruz, OCA-COCD Director Conrado Demdem Jr., and Head Officer of CO Olongapo Daniel Tanwangco posing with the Home-based Officers of CO Olongapo. (Photo Courtesy by OCA-PITSS)