PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL

Public Advisory 053-20222 May 2022 THIRD VOTE COUNTING MACHINE FAILURE The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York would like to inform the public that one of the Vote Counting Machines (VCM) that was being used in today's ballot feeding had malfunctioned.Unfortunately, despite the online troubleshooting by the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and Consulate personnel, the technical issue involving said VCM could not be resolved.The latest malfunction brings to three the number of VCMs assigned to the Consulate that could no longer be used. Just the same, the Consulate will continue ballot feeding using its last remaining functioning VCM.The COMELEC has been informed of this development and has been requested to replace the defective units as soon as possible so that ballot feeding can proceed more efficiently.

Public Advisory 052-20222 May 2022 COVID-19 ALERT LEVEL IN NYC RAISED TO MEDIUM The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York would like to inform kababayan that the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene has raised the COVID-19 alert level to medium. This means that COVID-19 cases are increasing in the city.Kababayan are advised to exercise more stringent COVID-19 safety protocols, such as wearing a face mask in public indoor settings and getting vaccinated and boosted.Maraming salamat po.

Public Advisory 051-20222 May 2022 INCREASE IN BALLOT FEEDING DAYS The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs all approved accredited watchers, media entities, election observers, and the general public that to ensure the timely counting of all ballots, the Consulate will be conducting daily ballot feeding beginning Monday, 02 May 2022 until Friday, 06 May 2022, starting at 9 a.m. at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. The ballot feeding will also be streamed live on the Consulate's Facebook page.All accredited watchers, media entities, and election observers who plan to observe the ballot feeding in person are reminded to comply with Commission on Elections (COMELEC) regulations on presenting their papers to the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI), wearing their IDs while inside the Philippine Center, and adhering to the Consulate’s prevailing health protocols.

Public Advisory 050-20222 May 2022 ONSITE VOTING OPTION FOR KABABAYAN WHO HAVE NOT RECEIVED THEIR BALLOTS Per Commission on Elections (COMELEC) Letter No. OFOV-2022-0942 dated 29 April 2022, overseas voters registered with the Consulate General of the Philippines in New York who have been sent postal voting packets but have not received their ballots may personally visit the Consulate on Saturday, 07 May 2022, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. to cast their votes.Said registered voters must provide the following: 1. Duly accomplished notarized affidavit/undertaking;2. Duly accomplished OVF-1;3. Copy of Philippine passport or Philippine citizenship re-acquisition documents; and4. Copy of proof of change address or current address (e.g., utility bill, driver’s license)These voters must accomplish the ballot on the Consulate’s premises and drop the ballot in the designated drop box on the above-stated date and time.

Public Advisory 049-202227 April 2022 SPIKE IN NEW YORK CITY SUBWAY CRIME RATE The Philippine Consulate General in New York informs the commuting public that robberies in the New York transit system have surged 71 percent in 2022 compared with the same period last year, according to the New York City Police Department’s transit bureau records. Felony assaults are up 28 percent and grand larceny has shot up 110 percent.Overall, major felonies reported in the subway system rose 68 percent in New York City in the fist four months of 2022 compared to the same period last year.In view of these findings, kababayan are reminded to stay vigilant and to take the necessary precautions when taking the subway.

Public Advisory 048-202227 April 2022 SECOND VOTE COUNTING MACHINE FAILURE The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs the public that the alternate Vote Counting Machine (VCM) used to replace the jammed primary VCM encountered a failure in the scanner diagnostic after repeated attempts.To ensure that there would be no further delays in the ballot feeding, the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI) decided to use the second alternate VCM. After successfully performing full diagnostics, ballot feeding on the second alternate VCM resumed.The Consulate has reported the event to the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and requested for additional VCMs to serve as alternates for the two primary VCMs currently being used for ballot feeding.

Public Advisory 047-202226 April 2022 COVID-19 EXPOSURE OF PHILIPPINE CONSULATE GENERAL PERSONNEL The Philippine Consulate General in New York advises the public that several more members of its consular staff had been exposed to COVID-19.As such, the Consulate strongly encourages those who visited the Philippine Center yesterday, Monday, 25 April 2022, and today, Tuesday, 26 April 2022, to observe themselves for symptoms or get themselves tested when they can.The Consulate assures kababayan with scheduled appointments that unless otherwise advised it will be “business-as-usual” at the Consular Section. Kababayan with scheduled appointments are advised to observe the indoor mask policy and other COVID-19 protocols.The Consulate also assures kababayan that overseas absentee voting processes will not be affected and will proceed as scheduled.

Public Advisory 046-202225 April 2022 CHANGE IN BALLOT FEEDING SCHEDULE The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs all approved accredited watchers, media entities, election observers, and the general public that in anticipation of the increase in submitted ballots envelopes, the schedule for ballot feeding for this Thursday (28 April), Monday (02 May) and next Thursday (May 05), will begin at 9 a.m.  at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center. The ballot feeding will also be streamed live on the Consulate's Facebook page.All accredited watchers, media entities, and election observers who plan to observe the ballot feeding in person are reminded to comply with Commission on Elections (COMELEC) regulations on presenting their papers to the Special Board of Election Inspectors (SBEI), wearing their IDs while inside the Philippine Center, and adhering to the Consulate’s prevailing health protocols.

Public Advisory 045-202225 April 2022 SCHEDULE OF BALLOT FEEDING TODAY The Consulate General of the Philippines in New York informs all approved accredited watchers, media entities, election observers, and the general public that ballot feeding will be conducted today, 25 April 2022, and every Monday and Thursday afternoon after consular operating hours at the Kalayaan Hall of the Philippine Center.  The ballot feeding will also be streamed live on the Consulate's FaceBook page. All accredited watchers, media entities, and election observers who plan to observe the ballot feeding in person are reminded to comply with Commission on Elections regulations on presenting their papers to the Special Board of Election Inspectors, wearing of their IDs while inside the Philippine Center, and adhering to the Consulate's prevailing health protocols, including presentation of a negative antigen test result.

Public Advisory 044-202224 April 2022 KABABAYAN ADVISED TO CONTINUE OBSERVING COVID-19 PROTOCOLS While the current alert level in New York City remains “low,” the Philippine Consulate General in New York  advises all kababayan to observe basic COVID-19 safety protocols, such as wearing their masks in indoor public spaces and washing hands frequently or using hand sanitizer.Kababayan who would be availing themselves of consular services when we resume operations beginning tomorrow, Monday, 25 April 2022, are strictly required to wear their masks while inside the Philippine Center and to practice physical distancing, whenever possible.With some consular staff still in isolation due to COVID-19 exposure,  the Philippine Consulate General in New York appreciates the patience and understanding of our kababayan as we endeavor to serve them.Maraming salamat po.