By Rowena Cruz Department of Foreign Affairs Lucena Consular Officer Criselda Abril, Lucena Mayor Mark Alcala and DFA Assistant Secretary An...
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| Department of Foreign Affairs Lucena Consular Officer Criselda Abril, Lucena Mayor Mark Alcala and DFA Assistant Secretary Angelito Cruz (from left) lead the opening of the Apostille Receiving Center at Pacific Mall in Lucena City on May 24, 2024. (Photo from of Pacific Mall FB) |
LUCENA CITY, Quezon - In a move set to simplify the international travel process for residents of Calabarzon and Mimaropa, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) has recently partnered with Pacific Mall in Lucena City to open an Apostille Receiving Center (ARC). The center, inaugurated on Friday, May 24, 2024, is designed to streamline the authentication of documents required for visa applications and other travel purposes.
"This partnership is a testament to our commitment to bringing essential government services closer to the people," said a DFA representative. "By establishing this ARC in a strategic location like Pacific Mall, we are making it more convenient for individuals from Calabarzon and Mimaropa to complete their travel preparations."
The ARC will handle the receiving and processing of apostille applications, which are necessary for documents to be recognized in foreign countries that are members of the Hague Apostille Convention. This service was previously only available at the DFA's main office in Manila, requiring residents from distant provinces to travel long distances.
"We are proud to be part of this initiative that will significantly benefit our community," said a Pacific Mall spokesperson. "Our mall is committed to providing a comprehensive range of services to our patrons, and this partnership with the DFA is a natural extension of that commitment."
The opening of the ARC has been met with enthusiasm from local residents and government officials alike. It is expected to reduce processing times for apostilles and alleviate the burden on the DFA's main office.
"This is a great step forward in improving the accessibility of government services," said Lucena City Mayor Mark Alcala. "We are grateful to the DFA and Pacific Mall for their collaboration in bringing this important service to our city."
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