CONVENIENCE. Department of Foreign Affairs Lucena Consular Officer Criselda Abril, Lucena Mayor Mark Alcala and DFA Assistant Secretary Angelito Cruz (from left) lead the opening of the Apostille Receiving Center at Pacific Mall in Lucena City on Friday (May 24, 2024). The ARC will facilitate the apostille process of visa applications of residents in the Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Mall Facebook)
LUCENA CITY – Residents of Calabarzon and Mimaropa regions seeking to travel abroad need not go to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) head office in Metro Manila for authentication services after its Lucena Consular Office opened an Apostille Receiving Center (ARC) at the Pacific Mall here on Friday.
DFA Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito Cruz said the opening of an ARC here will save travelers from the two regions time and effort, while helping decongest the agency's Metro Manila offices.
"DFA Lucena is one of the best among our more than 40 consular offices across the country and we are grateful to Mayor (Mark) Alcala for bringing ARC to one of our best offices," Cruz said in an interview following the inauguration ceremonies.
He said the ARC will accept apostille visa applications, while the DFA central office shall process the document and release it through the local ARC.
An apostille is issued by a country that is party to the Apostille Convention, to be used in another country which is also a party to the convention.
The Philippines became a party to the Apostille Convention on May 14, 2019. Since then, an apostille has replaced the
Authentication Certificate (red ribbon).
Alcala said he specifically requested the service to help the people in the two regions with their various travel requirements.
"As much as we can, we aim to bring government services to the people. And this particular service has long been requested by our people," Alcala said. (PNA)
