Philippine Consulate General Conducts Consular Outreach in Needham, Massachusetts

Press Release EGC-023-2022 2 August 2022 PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL CONDUCTS CONSULAR OUTREACH IN NEEDHAM, MASSACHUSETTS NEW YORK – Close to 400 Filipinos in Massachusetts were served during the Konsulado On The Go conducted by the Philippine Consulate General in New York on 30-31 July 2022. The outreach team led by Deputy Consul General Arman R. Talbo rendered a total of 369 services during the two-day outreach which includes 205 passport applications, 67 legal documents, 12 civil registrations, and 85 applications for dual citizenship.  The outreach mission was held in partnership with community leader Mr. Rudy Hermosa with the support of the Philippine Nurses Association – New England and other Filipino-American groups and associations in the area. The Consulate conferred a plaque of appreciation to Mr. Hermosa for his outstanding service and contribution to the Filipino Community by organizing the Consular Outreach in Needham, Massachusetts for 30 years since 1992. Members of the Filipino Community expressed their sincere appreciation for the outreach program of the Consulate which brings the consular services closer to them without the need to travel 5-6 hours to New York to avail themselves consular services such as passports and other necessary documents. END

Continue Reading Philippine Consulate General Conducts Consular Outreach in Needham, Massachusetts

Public Advisory: Distressed Kababayan Urge to Call Consulate Hotlines

Public Advisory 078-202221 July 2022 DISTRESSED KABABAYAN URGE TO CALL CONSULATE HOTLINES Filipinos who may find themselves in distress due to hate incidents or other crimes that may involve them or other kababayan are requested to call the hotlines of the Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in New York at +1-917-294-0196 and +1-917- 239-4118 for assistance. Kababayan may also call 911 in case of emergency. The Consulate is requesting kababayan to report such incidents so that it can more accurately assess the situation and issue timely advisories to help ensure the safety and security of members of the Filipino Community. The Consulate was informed today of a hate incident involving a 51-year-old Filipina who was verbally assaulted and harassed by what appeared to be a homeless woman who also tried to prevent her from boarding her train at the 63rd Drive Subway Station in Rego Park, Queens on Saturday afternoon. This is the 42nd case of a hate-related incident or criminal act involving a member of the Filipino Community that was reported to or monitored by the Consulate since last year. Kababayan residing in New York and those on temporary visits are reminded to always remain vigilant…

Continue Reading Public Advisory: Distressed Kababayan Urge to Call Consulate Hotlines

Public Advisory: Increase in Crime in New York City

Public Advisory 077-202220 July 2022 INCREASE IN CRIME IN NEW YORK CITY The Consulate General of the Republic of the Philippines in New York advises the Filipino Community to remain vigilant in view of the latest statistics released by the New York City Police Department (NYPD) indicating a 37 percent increase in major crimes citywide. According to the NYPD, grand larceny was up 49 percent this year; grand larceny auto, 46.2 percent; robbery, 39.2 percent; and burglary 32.9 percent. Kababayan taking mass transport are also reminded to remain vigilant as transit crimes have also increased by 55.5 percent compared to last year. Hate crimes have also increase by 12.6 percent city-wide. Kababayan are reminded to be situationally aware at all times when outside their residences and to take the necessary precautions to avoid becoming a victim of crime.

Continue Reading Public Advisory: Increase in Crime in New York City

Public Advisory: Kababayan Reminded to Remain Vigilant When in New York City

Public Advisory 076-202215 July 2022 KABABAYAN REMINDED TO REMAIN VIGILANT WHEN IN NEW YORK CITY The Philippine Consulate General in New York advises the Filipino Community to remain vigilant after an 18-year-old Filipino tourist from Cebu was reported to have been violently assaulted near the Philippine Center in Manhattan on Wednesday. In view of this incident, the Consulate reminds members of the Filipino Community as well as kababayan visiting New York to exercise the necessary precautions while on the streets or in the subways. Based on information received by the Consulate this afternoon, the victim was walking with three other Filipinos near the corner of 6th Avenue and 46th Street when he was assaulted. The Filipino sustained facial injuries from the beating he received from the suspect who was eventually subdued and turned over to authorities. This is the 41st incident since last year that involves a Filipino who was either a victim of a hate crime or incident or a criminal act. The Consulate is in touch with the New York City Police Department to get more information on the incident. It is unknown at this point if the incident was anti-Asian-hate-related.

Continue Reading Public Advisory: Kababayan Reminded to Remain Vigilant When in New York City

Public Advisory: COVID-19 Surges Once Again in New York City

Public Advisory 075-20229 July 2022 COVID-19 SURGES ONCE AGAIN IN NEW YORK CITY The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that COVID-19 positivity rate has increased by 14.6 percent in New York City, the highest since January 2022.According to the the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, the daily COVID-19 case average, in the last 7 days, is 3,367. This surge is most likely caused by the BA.5 omicron subvariant.It has also been reported that Long Island City and Manhattan have the top positivity rates, of over 25 percent and 20 percent respectively.Kababayan are strongly advised to wear face masks in all public indoor settings, limit get-togethers to smaller settings, getting tested, staying home if sick or recently exposed, washing one’s hands, and getting vaccinated or boosted.

Continue Reading Public Advisory: COVID-19 Surges Once Again in New York City

Public Advisory: 75% of New York City’s Monkeypox Cases are in Manhattan

Public Advisory 074-20229 July 2022 75% OF NEW YORK CITY’S MONKEYPOX CASES ARE IN MANHATTAN The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that as 07 July 2022, 141 people in New York City have tested positive for orthopoxvirus, seventy-five percent of which are based in Manhattan. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene also states that all cases are likely monkeypox. While anyone can get and spread monkeypox, those at greater risk are members of the gay and bisexual community. The NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has announced the provision of the JYNNEOSTM vaccine to eligible people who may have had a recent exposure to monkeypox. Information on eligibility and scheduling appointments can be found at: nyc.gov/health/monkeypox. Kababayan in New York City are advised to contact their health care provider if experiencing an unexpected rash/sores and other symptoms of monkeypox.

Continue Reading Public Advisory: 75% of New York City’s Monkeypox Cases are in Manhattan

Philcongen NY Showcases Cultural Diversity to Commemorate the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Press Release EGC-022-20222 June 2022 PHILCONGEN NY SHOWCASES CULTURAL DIVERSITY TO COMMEMORATETHE ASIAN AMERICAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE MONTH NEW YORK 02 June 2022 – The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York held a cultural show to commemorate the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month  on 24 May 2022 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York.Traditional dance and music from the Chinese, Indian, Indonesian, Japanese, Pacific Islander and Philippine communities were featured during the cultural show as a means of bridging the cross-cultural communities of New York City, and fostering greater cultural understanding.In his welcome remarks during the event, Consul General Elmer G. Cato said that “In the midst of increased incidents of racism, discrimination, and violence against the AAPI community, our weapon is the soft power of art and culture.”For more information, visit https://www.newyorkpcg.dfa.gov.ph,  https://www.newyorkpcg.org,  https://www.facebook.com/PHLinNY/  or https://www.instagram.com/phinnewyork/.  END Left to right:  Consul General Elmer G. Cato  delivers his welcome remarks during the Asian Amrican Pacific Islander Heritage Month Cultural Show held on 24 May 2022 at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center in New York; Bottom right: Jameelah Lenises, Frank Ortega of Kinding Sindaw perform dance excerpts from epics and…

Continue Reading Philcongen NY Showcases Cultural Diversity to Commemorate the Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Public Advisory: Enhanced Covid-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool Now Available to New Yorkers

Public Advisory 072-202227 May 2022 ENHANCED COVID-19 QUARANTINE AND ISOLATIONGUIDANCE TOOL NOW AVAILABLE TO NEW YORKERS The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs all kababayan that the “NYC Test & Trace Corps” has expanded its COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool to provide New Yorkers direct connections to order “Take Care packages” and receive COVID-19 therapeutics.The COVID-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool provides a mechanism for New Yorkers to navigate COVID-19 guidance based on their history of infection, date of exposure, or positive test, symptoms, and vaccination status.For more information, kababayan can visit https://covid19.nychealthandhospitals.org/COVID19help

Continue Reading Public Advisory: Enhanced Covid-19 Quarantine and Isolation Guidance Tool Now Available to New Yorkers

Public Advisory: Travel Insurance No Longer Required for Foreign Nationals

Public Advisory 071-2022 27 May 2022 TRAVEL INSURANCE NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that beginning Monday, 30 May 2022, foreign nationals entering the Philippines will no longer be required to present a travel insurance during immigration entry formalities. Securing a travel insurance, however, is encouraged. This is development is pursuant to IATF Resolution No. 168, series of 2022, dated 26 May 2022, which can be visited by clicking the following link: https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/05may/20220526-IATF-Resolution-168-RRD.pdf It will be recalled that foreigners were originally required to obtain a travel insurance with a minimum coverage of US$35,000 for the duration of their stay in the Philippines.

Continue Reading Public Advisory: Travel Insurance No Longer Required for Foreign Nationals

Public Advisory: RT-PCR No Longer Required for All Fully-Vaccinated Individuals Travelling to the Philippines

Public Advisory 070-202227 May 2022 RT-PCR TEST NO LONGER REQUIRED FOR ALL FULLY-VACCINATEDINDIVIDUALS TRAVELING TO THE PHILIPPINES The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that beginning Monday, 30 May 2022, Filipinos and foreigners who have received their primary series COVID-19 vaccine and at least one COVID-19 booster shot will no longer be required to present a negative COVID-19 test in order to travel to the Philippines.Unvaccinated, partially vaccinated, or individuals whose vaccination status cannot be independently validated, however, would still be required to present a negative RT-PCR test.Acceptable proof of COVID-19 vaccination are the following:(1)    World Health Organization International Certificate of Vaccination and Prophylaxis;(2)    VaxCertPH;(3)    National or state manual/digital vaccination certificate of the country/foreign government; and(4)    Other proof of vaccinated permitted by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.Please click the following link below to read the full details of the latest IATF Resolution No. 168, series of 2022, dated 26 May 2022.https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/downloads/2022/05may/20220526-IATF-Resolution-168-RRD.pdf

Continue Reading Public Advisory: RT-PCR No Longer Required for All Fully-Vaccinated Individuals Travelling to the Philippines