DFA opens first ePassport renewal center in Los Angeles

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) opened the first Philippine ePassport renewal center in Los Angeles to make consular services more accessible to overseas Filipinos.

Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr., Foreign Affairs Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Brigido Dulay, and Consul General Edgar Badajos led the ribbon-cutting ceremony on Friday.

“The Philippine ePassport Renewal Center (PaRC) system supplements and strengthens the consular operations of our 94 embassies and consulates around the world,” Locsin said during the inauguration.

“It radically reduces the pressure to get more things done faster and faster until more and more mistakes are made or the public is condemned to slower and slower service,” he added.

The Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles serves the largest section of overseas Filipinos in the entire region of the Americas, according to the DFA.

The consulate has also been adopting new and innovative means to increase its capacity to deliver consular services to Filipinos, especially passport renewal.

Locsin said the PaRC also operates for longer hours and even during the weekend, adding that it will be more convenient for the Filipinos in Los Angeles and surrounding states.

“Filipinos here in Los Angeles and in the surrounding states need not worry about missing work obligations or other inconveniences caused by an 8-to-5-time window,” he said.

“I know you work so hard to make a life out here, and we will make sure that the PaRC works harder for you to help you achieve that end,” he added.

The DFA advised qualified passport renewal applicants to set an appointment via: https://services.vfsglobal.com/usa/en/phl/ prior to coming to the facility. — DVM, GMA News