Work in DFA consular offices suspended in 4 provinces due to Odette

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said consular services in four provinces affected by Typhoon Odette have been temporarily suspended.

The DFA said operations of the following DFA consular offices are suspended in Bacolod, Butuan, Cebu, and Tacloban starting Thursday.

“Operations in DFA Consular Offices in Bacolod, Butuan, Cebu and Tacloban are suspended as Local Governments in Visayas and Mindanao brace for Typhoon Odette,” the department said in an advisory.

#ConsularAdvisory: Operations in DFA Consular Offices in Bacolod, Butuan, Cebu and Tacloban are suspended as Local Governments in Visayas and Mindanao brace for Typhoon Odette. https://t.co/iIQVibqPbB

— DFA Philippines (@DFAPHL) December 16, 2021

Meanwhile, the DFA said affected applicants may reach their respective consular offices’ email for consular service concerns:

• Bacolod: bacolod.rco@dfa.gov.ph or rcobacolod@gmail.com
• Butuan: butuan.rco@dfa.gov.ph
• Cebu: cebu.rco@dfa.gov.ph
• Tacloban: tacloban.rco@dfa.gov.ph

As of 11 a.m., four areas were placed under Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal (TCWS) No. 4 as Odette further intensified earlier in the day, "endangering" Bucas Grande-Siargao Islands and Dinagat Islands, according to PAGASA.

In its 11 a.m. bulletin, PAGAS said Odette may make a landfall in Siargao-Bucas Grande Islands or Dinagat Islands on Thursday afternoon. 

The US Navy and Air Force's Joint Typhoon Warning Center, which is based in Hawaii, has already described Odette (international name: Rai) as a super typhoon. — Richa Noriega/RSJ, GMA News