1 June 2020, Calgary – With the City of Calgary
implementing today the last phase of the Province of Alberta’s Stage 1 economic
relaunch, the Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Calgary resumed its
passport services for the public.
Starting 1 June 2020, the PCG will
process the passport applications of those who were able to secure appointments
online.
Consul General Zaldy Patron explained
that the PCG’s gradual reopening conformed with the regulations and advisories
on physical distancing, limit to the number of people inside a workplace, and
other health measures issued by local health authorities.
“While the PCG has reopened, it will
prioritize passport applicants who are required to make personal appearance because
their biometrics have to be taken. Meanwhile, we request all non-passport
applicants to send their applications by mail,” Consul General Patron said.
Given the PCG’s small
consular area, the two-meter physical distancing requirement, and the reduced
daily staffing of the PCG, Consul General Patron said the number of passport
applicants inside the PCG had to be managed through an appointment system.
“When Calgary moves to Stages 2 and 3
of the Alberta Relaunch Strategy, the PCG will be able to accommodate more
applicants. I, therefore, encourage our Filipino community to continue to
adhere to the advisories of local health authorities so we can all help contain
the spread of COVID-19,” the Consul General added.
As additional measures, the PCG requires passport applicants to wear face masks inside the PCG premises. The applicants’ temperatures are also taken prior to entering the PCG.