After reports of violent protests and demonstrations in Bahrain, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is hoping that the security situation will improve soon. The government agency is closely monitoring the situation and hoping that things would return to normal quickly.

The Secretary of DFA, Albert del Rosario said, “We’re also keeping a close watch there and hopefully the situation will improve and can be restored to normalcy.”

The clashes recently claimed the life of a teenager fromBahrainwho was hit in the head by a tear gas canister.Australia and Britain already issued an advisory for their nationals in Bahrain to avoid public places and exercise caution.

However, Roberto Carrillo, a Filipino writer for the Bahrain Daily Tribune, said that Filipinos in Bahrain are not so worried about the security situation there.

Carrillo said, “Hindi naman nababahala ang mga Filipino kasi for one thing the Philippine Embassy is very active na mag-inform sa mga Pilipino kung saan ang mangyayaring riot, kaguluhan, mga rally, ganyan. So, for us, parang normal na siya. Nasanay na kami kung ano ang mangyayari.

Important Reminders for Passport Mobile Services

• The processing of passports at Mobile Passport Services is guided by the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 and its implementing rules and regulations, other relevant Department Orders, Circulars and Memoranda.
• Participation in the Mobile Passport Services must be coordinated with the Passport Coordinator designated by the Local Government Unit (LGU) in advance. The designated LGU Passport Coordinator will collect copies of the application forms from interested applicants at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled date of the mobile passport service.
• The LGU Passport Coordinator will inform the applicant of the indicative time during which he or she will have to file the passport application on the scheduled date of the Mobile Passport Service.
• Personal appearance is a requirement for all passport applicants.
• The Mobile Passport Service will not accept applications for the replacement of lost valid passports but will entertain applications for lost expired passports.
• The Mobile passport fee is same with the Expedite Rate.

For any details, please call 834-4000. Local Nos. 2406 – 2410 or 836-7750

The Philippine Embassy in London issued an advisory to the Filipino community in the United Kingdom to be vigilant and to exercise due caution in light of the riots that occurred around London and in other UK cities over the past days.

“The Embassy urges all Filipinos to stay away from high street areas, to avoid large gatherings and to avoid joining or going to places of riots or get involved in any public disturbance,” Charge d’Affaires, a.i. Reynaldo A. Catapang said.

The Embassy may be contacted through its trunk line, 0207451780; or emergency mobile number, 07802790695; as well as mobile numbers 07809737672, 07542095133, 07553203793, and 07817479313.

Read the complete DFA advisory.

Important Reminders for Passport Mobile Services

• The processing of passports at Mobile Passport Services is guided by the Philippine Passport Act of 1996 and its implementing rules and regulations, other relevant Department Orders, Circulars and Memoranda.
• Participation in the Mobile Passport Services must be coordinated with the Passport Coordinator designated by the Local Government Unit (LGU) in advance. The designated LGU Passport Coordinator will collect copies of the application forms from interested applicants at least two weeks in advance of the scheduled date of the mobile passport service.
• The LGU Passport Coordinator will inform the applicant of the indicative time during which he or she will have to file the passport application on the scheduled date of the Mobile Passport Service.
• Personal appearance is a requirement for all passport applicants.
• The Mobile Passport Service will not accept applications for the replacement of lost valid passports but will entertain applications for lost expired passports.
• The Mobile passport fee is same with the Expedite Rate.

For any details, please call 834-4000. Local Nos. 2406 – 2410 or 836-7750

Do you need to apply or renew your Philippine passport or need to renew your existing travel document? To avoid long lines and unnecessary trip to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), the government agency encourages passport applicants to schedule an appointment first before heading to their office.

Not all passport applicants though can avail of the DFA Passport Appointment System. It is only available open to new applicants, those who are applying for renewal and for senior citizens (applicants more than 60 years old). Those who have lost their passports and want to apply for a new one, they have to personally go at the Gate 2 of the DFA, Pasay City to schedule an appointment.

What are the steps one should do to be able to schedule an appointment on the web.