PH consulate gives consideration to CWs sans appointment

Despite lacking e-passport appointments, the Philippine Consulate General in Guam is giving consideration to Filipino workers who need to extend their passports’ validity because they need to process their CW permits.

Consul Edgar Thomas Q. Auxillian said, however, that this gesture is being extended only on a case-by-case basis, which is determined after a one-on-one interview with Auxillian himself.

Dozens of Filipinos flocked to the mobile consular service venue yesterday at the Pedro P. Tenorio Multi-Purpose Center in Susupe. Some were there to renew their passports, apply for passports, and avail of civil registry and notarial services.

While the consulate general in Guam and even the United Filipino Organization already posted notices that only those with pre-appointments will be considered for the e-passport renewal process, Auxillian said they were forced to grant several Filipino workers’ appeal to extend their passports because of their pending CW contracts.

One of the requirements for a CW application is a valid passport.

This issue aside, Auxillian said that yesterday’s start of the mobile consular services went smoothly, mainly due to the pre-appointment procedure they implemented a couple of mobile consular services back.

The consul said gone are the days when he and his staff had to deal with throngs of people waiting in line to avail of the consulate’s services.

The faster and more efficient process, meanwhile, was not lost on Filipinos availing of the services yesterday.

Gerry De Guzman, who works as an accountant for BSEA Sports, said the pre-appointment has taken the hassle out of the passport renewal process and he applauded the consulate general’s efforts to streamline the whole passport renewal/extension application process.

Mariana Resort & Spa Saipan executive chef William Retardo echoed De Guzman’s observation and said the easier process means he didn’t have to take an entire day’s off from work just to have his passport renewed.

Joining Auxillian on the trip to Saipan are six staff from the consulate general in Guam: passport officer Francisco Magno, communications and information officer Allan Tangayan, finance officer Lisa Manarin, administrative officer Thelma Sta. Maria, cultural officer Mildred Sayurin, and consular assistant Lani Revilla.

Auxillian also thanked UFO president Annamae Adaza and her army of volunteers for once again helping the consulate general in the mobile consular services.

Adaza said she has enlisted 10-12 volunteers for the three-day mobile consular services that ends tomorrow, Feb. 13. She also thanked Don Pedro Restaurant for sponsoring her team’s lunch and snacks during the duration of the event.