PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

Public Advisory 007-202227 January 2022 WINTER STORM WARNING FOR TRI-STATE, NEW ENGLAND The Philippine Consulate General in New York would like to inform the Filipino Community in the United States Northeast that an intensifying “bomb cyclone” is expected to hit the Tri-State area beginning Friday night through the weekend, with a powerful winter storm expecting to dump about a foot of snow on New York City, causing hazardous travel conditions. The heaviest snowfall, which is predicted to dump 12 to 18 inches of snow, will impact areas like Boston and much of the New England region. Communities along the coast could experience serious flooding. While the forecast of the snow storm may still change, kababayan are encouraged to take the necessary precautions. Kababayan are also strongly advised to monitor the weather closely going forward. ###

Public Advisory 006-202219 January 2022 ADVISORY ON DISASTER-RELATED DONATIONS / SOLICITATIONS The Philippine Consulate General in New York advises the public to exercise extreme vigilance and caution when donating or sharing financial details to individuals and/or organizations soliciting material and/or financial donations purportedly for victims of disasters in the Philippines.Prospective donors are further advised to verify and confirm the authenticity of their intended charitable organization or fundraising/donation program to ensure that their donations are not pocketed or diverted to operations outside of the intended charitable cause.Here are some tips to protect yourself from questionable fundraising activities:Do not let anyone make you feel pressured or rushed when making a donation.Do not give your bank details, credit card number, checking account number and other personal information to someone you do not know or have just met.Take the time to research about an organization and its programs, taking into consideration if it is a reputable organization or whether it operates domestically or internationally. Request specific information and seek transparency about how an organization will use your donation. Will it go to your intended recipient or will it mostly be used for administrative and fundraising expenses?Do not assume that a fundraising program or charitable organization…

Public Advisory 005-2022 18 January 2022 UPDATED ENTRY AND TESTING FOR INTERNATIONAL PASSENGERS BOUND FOR THE PHILIPPINES (EFFECTIVE 16 JANUARY 2022) The Philippine Consulate General in New York informs the public of the following updated entry and testing protocols for international passengers coming from the United States and other countries in the Yellow List, who have been allowed entry to the Philippines. For Vaccinated Travelers:1. A negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours prior to the departure from the country of origin will be required.2. Upon arrival, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with RT-PCR test taken on the fifth (5th) day, with the date of arrival being the first day.3. Once with a negative result, they may be released for completion of home quarantine up to the seventh (7th) day from the date of arrival. For Unvaccinated or Partially Vaccinated Travelers:1. A negative RT-PCR test taken within forty-eight (48) hours prior to departure from the country of origin will be required.2. Upon arrival, they shall undergo facility-based quarantine with an RT-PCR test done on the seventh (7th) day, with the date of arrival being the first day.3. Once with a negative result, they may be released for completion of home quarantine…

Public Advisory 004-2022 10 January 2022 WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR NYC The Philippine Consulate General in New York would like to inform members of the Filipino Community in the United States northeast to prepare for freezing temperatures starting tonight that has not been experienced in years. The temperature in New York City is forecasted to dip to 17 degrees Fahrenheit (-8 degrees Celsius) by early Tuesday, 11 January 2022, and weather will be bitterly cold, breezy, and sunny for the rest of the day. Kababayan are encouraged to stay indoors, or to bundle up, if they need to go out, and to check on the vulnerable, such as the elderly, and those with health risks.

Public Advisory 003-202209 January 2022 INFORMATION REQUEST ON BRONX FIRE New York, 09 January 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General in New York is trying to ascertain if members of the Filipino Community are among those affected by the fire this morning at an apartment building in the Bronx that claimed the lives of 19 people, including nine children, and injured at least 63 others. Kababayan are requested to let the Consulate know if they have information on possible Filipino casualties. The Consulate extends its condolences to the loved ones of those who perished in the fire and prays for the immediate recovery of the injured.

Public Advisory 002-202209 January 2022 WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY ISSUED FOR TRISTATE AREA New York, 09 January 2022 - The Philippine Consulate General would like to inform the Filipino Community that a winter weather advisory covering the entire tristate area, except New York City, Long Island, and the Jersey Shore has been issued. The advisory, which goes into effect Sunday morning, warns of the potential for freezing rain and even some sleet for most of the tristate area. Kababayan are urged to exercise caution if they are traveling as roads could become slippery and create dangerous driving conditions if ice forms on untreated surfaces. 

Public Advisory 001-202207 January 2022 WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT IN MANHATTAN, SOUTHEAST NEW YORK, NORTHEAST NEW JERSEY New York, 07 January 2022 - A winter weather advisory is in effect in Manhattan and other parts of southeast New York and portions of northeast New Jersey until noon of Friday, 7 January 2022. From three to five inches of snow is expected in the aforesaid areas. Kababayan who have scheduled appointments for consular services at the Philippine Consulate General in New York are advised to take the necessary precautions to ensure their safe travel to the Philippine Center and back to their residences.

ADVISORY No. 29-2021 27 December 2021 LAUNCH OF THE NEW PASSPORT APPOINTMENT SYSTEM (GOAS) Today, 27 December 2021, the Philippine Consulate General in New York started implementing the Global On-line Appointment System (GOAS) for passport applications. Passport applicants can now secure appointments through the following website: https://www.passport.gov.ph Appointments for other services like notarials, dual citizenship, and Social Security will continue to be secured from the Consulate’s website: www.newyorpcg.org. Should you have questions on the new appointment system, please e-mail newyorkpcg.passport@dfa.gov.ph.

ADVISORY No. 28-2021 23 December 2021 NEW ONLINE VISA APPLICATION SYSTEM (OVAS) The Philippine Consulate General in New York is pleased to announce that effective 03 January 2022, all 9a (Temporary Visitor) visa applicants must submit their applications through the Online Visa Application System (OVAS) using the following link: https://www.visa.gov.ph Once the application is submitted, the applicant shall be contacted by the Consulate’s Visa Section for the next steps, which may include submission of additional documentary requirements, the conduct of an interview, among others. The public is reminded that currently, only foreign passport holders under the following categories may apply for a 9a (Temporary Visitor) to enter the Philippines: Foreign spouses of Filipino nationals; Foreign minor children and foreign children with special needs (regardless of age) of Filipino nationals; and Foreign parents of minor Filipino children and foreign parents of Filipino children with special needs (regardless of age). For inquiries, please e-mail newyorkpcg.visa@dfa.gov.ph. In view of the volume of e-mails received, please allow between three to five working days for a reply. 

ADVISORY No. 27-2021 16 December 2021 Covid Cases on the Rise; More Omicron Infections Reported in NY and NJ The Philippine Consulate General in New York would like to alert kababayan to the announcement of New York City Health Commissioner Dave Choski that coronavirus cases in the city are on the rise with more individuals in New York and New Jersey testing positive for the omicron variant.   New York City's Covid-19 positivity rate has also doubled in just three days with the omicron variant spreads. According to data released by the Centers for Disease Control, New York and New Jersey are the two states with the most rapid spread of the newly identified variant.   In anticipation of a possible surge during the holidays, kababayan who have not done so yet are encouraged to complete their vaccination and booster shots and continue to wear masks and observe physical distancing.