PHL Embassy in Moscow to Extend Consular Services on Several Sundays from February 2018 Onwards
Service with a smile. Consular Assistant and Attaché Marites Saberola (right) assists a Filipina applying for renewal of her passport at the Philippine Embassy in Moscow. Photo by C. Alpay
19 February 2018 MOSCOW — In an effort to accommodate Filipinos who are unable to secure a leave during weekdays, the Philippine Embassy in Moscow is extending its consular services to several Sundays starting in 2018. Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta intends for the Sunday consular services to be a regular activity moving forward. Officers and staff of the Embassy’s consular section have expressed their full support for the Ambassador’s initiative and that they look forward to serving the Filipino community who, previously, would struggle with finding an opportunity to visit the Embassy during its regular office hours.
“There have been several requests from Filipinos brought to my attention,” said Ambassador Sorreta. “We hope that by extending our hours to several Sundays from this year onwards, we’ll be able to provide much needed consular assistance to more Filipinos in Russia.”
The Embassy issued an advisory today via its official website and Facebook pages, which was welcomed by the Filipino community in Russia. Several Filipino community leaders shared their positive reactions via SMS:
“Maganda po open ang ating embahada once a month… malaking tulong lalo na sa mga stay in at bibihira mag off… at sa mga part-timer naman na busy sa buong linggo ay may chance nang makapunta sa ating embassy lalo na kung passport matters o pa red ribbon o pagawa ng SPA... Malaking tulong ito sa amin mga OFW,” stated Ms. Alma Arcilla, president of “Lahing Kayumanggi.”
Mr. Louise Reymond Corpus, president of the Filipino Association in Russia, also relayed, “100% approved po kami, malaking tulong po ito lalo na sa mga Sunday lang ang off.”
Ms. Ejay Merced, president of the Filipino Volunteer Leaders Association in Russia, had this to say, “Yung tunay na pagbabago ay ramdam hanggang Moscow… yung tipong alam mo na sinisikap ng embahada na alisin ang pangamba ng ating mga kababayan sa pamamagitan ng pagbigay ng extra time at space para masigurong ma-accommodate ang lahat nilang pangangailangang serbisyo sa ating Embahada. Yung tipong walang dahilan para hindi natin masunod ang mga bagay na alinsunod sa batas ng [Russia] at ng ating bansa. Hakbang tungo sa maayos at mas bukas na tulay para sa ikabubuti ng lahat…God bless the Phil. Embassy Moscow. Maraming salamat sa inyong maayos at mainit na pagkalinga sa amin dito sa Russia. Salamat Amba Sorreta.”
Starting on 28 February 2018, the Embassy will open its doors to Filipinos seeking to renew their passports, apply for an Embassy ID, or get their documents notarized every last Sunday of the month (except for December, when it will be open on the third Sunday) from 12:00 nn to 4:00 pm.
Further information on the Sunday consular services can be found in the Embassy’s official website (https://moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph/), Philippine Embassy Moscow FB page (https://www.facebook.com/moscowpe/), and Philippine Consular Moscow FB page (https://www.facebook.com/moscowpeconsular/). END