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.

2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour Kicks Off in Manila

Pasay City, Philippines, 22 July 2024 – The highly anticipated 2024 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour has officially begun with a series of activities in Manila on 21 and 22 July. Close to 230 participants from various regions across the United States are part of this year’s tour, which aims to reconnect Filipino-Americans with their heritage and promote the Philippines as a premier travel destination.

The tour began on 21 July with a dinner that featured entertainment courtesy of GMA7 at Seda Manila Bay. Consul General Senen T. Mangalile of the Philippine Consulate General in New York, the lead coordinator for this year’s tour, addressed the participants during the dinner, highlighting the importance of the VIP Tour in reconnecting Filipino-Americans with their roots and encouraging participants to fully engage in the upcoming activities.

On 22 July, the highlight was the wreath-laying ceremony at the monument of the Philippines’ national hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. Consul General Mangalile, along with Manila City Vice Mayor John Marvin “Yul Servo” Nieto and Capt. Bong Manzano (GSC) of the Philippine Navy, led the wreath-laying activity. Other dignitaries from the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, the Philippine Consulate General in Honolulu, the Philippine Consulate General in Agana, and the Knights of Rizal International Headquarters Supreme Council also joined the above officials in leading the ceremony, which included a 21-gun salute by the Philippine military. Following the ceremony, members of the Knights and Ladies of Rizal from among the VIP Tour participants visited the Knights of Rizal International Headquarters in Manila.

After a sumptuous lunch at Gloria Maris in Pasay City, the participants embarked on their selected afternoon tour among Old Manila (San Agustin Church and National Museum of the Philippines), Chinatown (Binondo Church and Ongpin Street), and the Ayala Museum, which all provided deep insights into the cultural and historical fabric of the Philippines.

The day concluded with a dinner graciously hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) at Sheraton Manila Hotel. Department of Tourism Undersecretary Shereen Gail Yu-Pamintuan graced the occasion on behalf of Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, who delivered a pre-recorded message for the event. Secretary Frasco emphasized the significance of the VIP Tour in promoting Philippine tourism, stating, “Your participation in this tour is more than just a journey through our beautiful country; it is a celebration of our shared heritage and a testament to the enduring bonds that connect us all.”

TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita M. Nograles also delivered a heartfelt message, highlighting the collaborative efforts that make the VIP Tour possible. “Welcome to our beloved Philippines, a tapestry of stunning landscapes, rich cultures, and extraordinary people and tales. Through this VIP Tour, I encourage you to discover more of the Philippines and become the country’s very own tourism ambassadors,” said COO Nograles.

In his message during the hosted dinner, Consul General Mangalile stated, “We, the diaspora in the United States, have a lot to offer to the local communities (in the Philippines). The capacity to bring the two together is what we aim for with the VIP Tour.”

A first-time VIP Tour participant from New York shared her enthusiasm for the activities in Manila. “Despite the inclement weather, the experience has been great so far. The hospitality has been outstanding. I particularly enjoyed the tour of the Ayala Museum, since I was able to learn about Philippine history and culture beyond what I already knew,” she shared with the Philippine Consulate.

Following the Manila leg, the VIP Tour will proceed to Bacolod, where participants will experience the vibrant MassKara Festival during a dinner hosted by Bacolod City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez. In addition to the MassKara Festival, participants will visit the picturesque Lakawon Island. The tour will also explore the Heritage Town of Silay, where participants can admire well-preserved ancestral houses and learn about the rich cultural and historical significance of the area. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA