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.

New York PCG’s Filcom Assembly Marks Milestones, Launches 2025 VIP Tour

NEW YORK, 25 January 2025 – The Philippine Consulate General in New York hosted the 11th Filipino Community General Assembly at Kalayaan Hall, Philippine Center, gathering representatives from 80 Filipino organizations across the U.S. Northeast. The event, a cornerstone of the Consulate’s community engagement, celebrated the collective achievements of 2024 while unveiling initiatives for 2025, including the launch of the 2025 Very Important Pinoy (VIP) Tour.

In his keynote address, Consul General Senen T. Mangalile underscored the Consulate’s commitment to fostering meaningful connections, promoting Philippine culture, and supporting the Filipino community across the U.S. Northeast. “This year, we renew our shared mission to ensure that every kababayan feels supported and connected to their heritage,” He also emphasized the importance of collaboration, adding, “We look forward to working with all of you as partners in promoting the Philippines in this part of the world. Filipinos have made good names for themselves here, and we, at the Consulate, are proud to be your safe space and advocates.”

The assembly featured a video presentation of the Consulate’s 2024 accomplishments, showcasing highlights such as the 2024 VIP Tour that brought a 240-strong delegation to Manila, Bacolod, and Northern Mindanao—the latter being a first in the tour’s history. The launch of the 2025 VIP Tour was one of the event’s highlights, with Tourism Director Francisco M. Lardizabal, Rajah Tours Chairperson Atty. Alejandra Clemente, and Philippine Airlines Area Manager Syed Imran Shahid presenting the itinerary and exclusive packages.

Mr. Lardizabal highlighted the significant contribution of the U.S. as the second-largest source market for Philippine tourism in 2024, with over 950,000 arrivals generating a record-breaking PHP 482 billion in tourism revenue. He emphasized the enduring success of the VIP Tour, noting, “Since its inception in 2005, the VIP Tour has generated PHP 2.2 billion in economic activity, underscoring the deep bond between the Philippines and the Filipino diaspora.”

During the event, the itinerary for the 2025 VIP Tour, scheduled from 06-15 July 2025, was unveiled. This year’s tour will take participants to Manila, Laoag, Vigan, and Puerto Princesa, offering a rich cultural and scenic experience. Additionally, the launch of VIP Tour Next Gen: Beyond the Islands was introduced, catering to younger generations with a vibrant itinerary featuring Manila, Siargao, and Puerto Princesa. Attendees were treated to a nostalgic throwback video of the 2024 VIP Tour’s Northern Mindanao leg—highlighting Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, and Iligan—courtesy of the Department of Tourism Region 10, followed by a heartfelt testimonial from 2024 participant Mr. Vitaliano “Nonoy” Rafael.

The event also highlighted Filipino talent through cultural performances by the Kayumanggi Chorale, Inc. and Ms. Loriebel Sal-long. The Kayumanggi Chorale captivated the audience with their harmonious renditions of classic Filipino songs, while Ms. Sal-long’s performance of Ilocano folk songs reflected her deep commitment to promoting Filipino heritage through the arts.

Adding a distinct cultural flavor to the event, Ilocano cuisine was served, including pancit with bagnet, Vigan longganisa skewers, and bicho-bicho by Kabisera, as well as golden bibingka courtesy of Barkada Tumulong.

Information on the 2025 VIP Tour can be accessed on the official VIP Tour website. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA