Will you accept walk ins?

No. As a policy, all consular applicants are required to have a confirmed appointment prior to coming to the Consulate.

Will there be considerations for ballot drop offs as another option aside from mailing them to the Consulate?

Yes, a ballot receptacle box will be provided at the Philippine Center for voters who wish to personally drop off their sealed accomplished ballots.

Will there be a courtesy lane for senior citizens, persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and others with special circumstances?

As a policy the Philippine Consulate General in New York requires all consular applicants to have a booked appointment prior to coming to the Consulate. The Consulate may give exception to meritorious cases, such as those with valid and immediate urgency to their requests. To make a request in case you are unable to book an appointment, you can send an email so we can review the merits of your particular situation to: newyorkpcg.notarials@dfa.gov.ph for Notarization, newyorkpcg.dual@dfa.gov.ph for Dual Citizenship, newyorkpcg.passport@dfa.gov.ph for Passport applications. All requests are subject to evaluation and approval is not guaranteed.

Will the Consulate be open on the weekend of May 7-8?

Yes, the Consulate is open 24 /7 for the entire voting period (including weekends and holidays) from 09 April 2022 to 08 May 2022 for registered voters who wish to personally drop off their ballots at the Consulate. The Consulate will be open on 09 May 2022, the last day for the casting of ballots until 7:00 a.m. Ballots received after 7:00am will no longer be counted.

Will my foreign spouse, who will travel with me to the Philippines, be required to secure additional travel documents from the Philippine Consulate before leaving?

The answer would depend on the intended period of stay in the Philippines and if the spouse is a visa-required national under the Philippine visa regulation. Foreign spouse (as well as children) included in the visa waiver category may avail of the Balikbayan-Program for stays of up to one (1) year. Otherwise, they would need to apply for an appropriate visa.

Filipino Innovators Spotlight AI Achievements at New York PCG Forum

The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted “Advancing Filipinnovation: A Forum on Filipinos Shaping the Future of Artificial Intelligence (AI)” on June 24 at the Philippine Center in New York. This event featured significant Filipino contributions and leadership in the rapidly evolving field of AI.

In his welcome remarks, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile emphasized the importance of innovation and the pioneering role of Filipinos. He stated, “AI represents a fundamental shift in how we interact with the world and revolutionizes industries. It is crucial that Filipinos are not just participants but pioneers in this rapidly evolving field.”

The forum’s speakers shared their experiences and insights on various aspects of AI. Ms. Angela Mascarenas, Co-Founder of Vokel AI and The AI Furnace, discussed deepfake detection for AI voice fraud and misinformation. Mr. Ryan Carl Yu, Product Manager at Google Cloud AI, shared insights on the intersection of data science, business strategy, and product management. Ms. Michaela Ternasky-Holland, XR Director and Creative Strategist, explored socially and culturally impactful stories using immersive and interactive technology. Mr. Gary Reloj, CEO and Founder of Masaya.io, highlighted modern digital narratives and his entrepreneurial journey. Mr. Prince Gregorio, Communications Officer at UNICEF, shared his experience participating in the Microsoft Artificial Intelligence Challenge, where his team won the grand prize.

The panel discussion, moderated by Mr. Gregorio, covered the panelists’ aspirations for the future of AI and the leadership roles Filipinos can undertake in this field. They addressed the ethical use of AI, ensuring responsible advancements with broader societal impacts, and examined AI’s potential repercussions on the Philippines’ BPO industry, including necessary adaptations for industry sustainability. The discussions also emphasized the critical role of governments in AI regulation, balancing innovation with ethical considerations and public safety. During the open forum, the audience posed insightful questions about AI’s impacts on various sectors, such as human resources, journalism, and media, and its potential use in the upcoming U.S. elections.

The forum marked the third installment of a series of gatherings on Filipinnovation organized by the Philippine Consulate General in New York, in partnership with the Philippine Trade and Investment Center in New York and Mr. Earl Valencia of the National Innovation Council of the Philippines. This series aims to showcase Filipino talent in global innovation and underscore the importance of technological advancements. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA