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.

Paaralan Sa Konsulado Opens for 27th Year, Continues to Reconnect Young Generations with their Filipino Roots

NEW YORK CITY, 07 July 2025 — The Philippine Consulate General in New York and the Association of Fil-Am Teachers of America, Inc. (AFTA), formally opened the 27^th Paaralan sa Konsulado (PSK) on 5 July 2025 at the Philippine Center-New York. Held every Saturday of July, the month-long summer program brings together Filipino-American children aged 4 to 15 for immersive lessons in Filipino language, history, arts, values, and traditions.

In his welcome message, Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer S. Cruz, who is representing Consul General Senen T. Mangalile, described Paaralan sa Konsulado as “a safe space where children can build confidence, connect with peers, and meaningfully express themselves.” He emphasized the importance of heritage learning as a foundation for identity, noting that this year’s program also includes special sessions for Filipino-American parents who wish to refresh their conversational Filipino skills and learn the basics of Baybayin, the pre-colonial Philippine script.

AFTA President Rena O. Pedaria reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to providing a curriculum that is rooted in Filipino values while responsive to the present. She acknowledged the vital role of long-time teacher-volunteers and program alumni who continue to shape the PSK experience for new generations of learners.

Day one of the program featured a vibrant mix of activities and interaction across different age groups. The students took part in introductory classes in Filipino history, folk dance, visual arts, and traditional songs.

A highlight of the day was the plenary session delivered by award-winning Filipino-American comic book artist Andrew Drilon, who traced his journey from self-publishing in Manila to illustrating for DC Comics in New York. He encouraged students to embrace storytelling as a form of courage and cultural expression.

“That story in your head, the one with the cool characters and wild ideas, don’t keep it to yourself. Be brave enough to bring it into the world. No one else but you can tell it, and the world needs new stories to grow into a better one,” Drilon said.

The Paaralan sa Konsulado will run through 26 July, culminating in a student-led showcase of songs, dances, and creative presentations. Now in its 27^th year, the program remains the Philippine Consulate’s cornerstone heritage education initiative, fostering cultural pride, community connection, and creative confidence among young Filipino-Americans. END

PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

New York, USA