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Travel Tax Exemption Privilege for Philippine Missionaries Assigned Abroad

The Philippine Tourism Authority has informed the Department of Foreign Affairs that Philippine missionaries assigned abroad may avail of exemption from the payment of the travel tax when returning to their assignment from a visit to the Philippines.

This exemption privilege is granted under Section 2d of Presidential Decrees 1183 as amended, provided that Philippine missionaries should submit a Certificate of Employment issued by the Philippines Foreign Service Post in their country of assignment stating that they are working as missionaries in that country. The exemption is valid only for travel to their place of assignment.

(Sgd.)
Bienvenido V. Tejano
Ambassador
5 August 2010

Transit visa for non-visa exempt foreigners

The Embassy wishes to inform the public that the Department of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of the Philippines has been advised by the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in the Philippines that effective 01 June 2010, the South African authorities have reintroduced transit visas for non-visa exempt foreigners who will proceed to the Republic of South Africa for transiting purposes enroute to neighboring countries.

In this regard, Filipinos who are transiting to South Africa enroute to neighboring countries must apply for transit visa at the South African Embassy.

For the information and guidance of all concerned.

(Sgd.)
Bienvenido V. Tejano
Ambassador
12 June 2010

Philippine Independence Message from the Ambassador

On this 112^th Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence, we celebrate with the theme “Kalayaan: Tagumpay ng Bayan” (Freedom: Victory of the Nation). Just looking back to the recent events in the Philippines, we, Filipinos have so much to thank our forefathers for the patriotism and sacrifices they have made for us to attain the freedom we now enjoy as a sovereign nation.

The freedom that we enjoy today has once again been renewed when Filipinos elected their new leaders as they cast their votes in the recently-held national elections. Being the country's first automated elections, it passed peacefully and smoothly with most of the presidential candidates humbly conceding to our new President H. E. Benigno Simeon Aquino III as he topped the polls. The people are now enthusiastic and inspired to move forward with high hopes for their new leadership to effectively carry out its new vision for our country's further growth and development.

Machine Readable Passport - 27 May 2010

Machine Readable Passport Image The Embassy is pleased to inform the public of the following options now open to all passport applicants to save them the time and expense of travelling to Wellington to fulfill the requirement for personal appearance. Passport applicants are advised to read the following instructions carefully and make sure that the details of the requirements are strictly followed to avoid unnecessary delays in the processing of their passports:

OPTION 1 : Holders of the green Machine-Readable Ready Passports (MRRP) or maroon Machine Readable Passports (MRP) who need to extend the validity of their passports for urgent travel purposes (i.e. expired passport; work visa/work permit that are soon to expire; and other meritorious reasons) may now apply for extension of their passports at this Embassy by courier post. The said passports will be extended for a maximum of two (2) years. They are advised to apply for an e-Passport in Manila before returning to their country of work or residence (New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji, Samoa or Cook Islands). Processing time for passport extension with this Embassy is one (1) week. The requirements are as follows:

1. Duly accomplished Application Form for Passport Extension (click here to download) with two (2) passport sized photos with white background;
2. Philippine passport;
3. Bank check or money order of NZ$28.00 payable to the Philippine Embassy;
4. Prepaid self-addressed courier bag.

Email Scam

Electronic Mail

The Embassy wishes to inform the public regarding a new email scam whose modus operandi includes targeting overseas Filipinos using the name of the Philippine Embassy or other Philippine representations abroad.

This modus operandi was reported by an OFW who approached the Philippine Consulate General in Saipan about the receipt of an email allegedly from the Philippine Embassy in Muscat advising him that he won a large sum of prize money.

In view of the foregoing, the Embassy would like to remind all Filipino communities to be alert against this type of email scam and ascertain such claims from the appropriate authorities before giving out personal information or following the instructions stated in the emails.

Those who may have received such email scam may inform the Embassy for its information.

For the information and appropriate action of those concerned.

MARCOS A.S. PUNSALANG Charge d’Affaires a.i.
Wellington, 25 May 2010