The Philippine Consulate General (PCG) in Shanghai inaugurated its new, expanded Consular Area on 19 November 2022, in rites led by Consul General Josel F. Ignacio leading the rites.

The new Consular Area, in full operations since 01 November 2022, supplants and substantially improves on the former frontline service space dating back to 2010, located on the far end of the Chancery.

Consul General Ignacio, assisted by Deputy Consul General Marlowe A. Miranda, unveiled the commemorative plaque and entryway to the new Consular Area. Sharing the honors were Aspac Land Development (Shanghai) Co. Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Mr. Hector Ty, and Dai-Ichi Electronics Shanghai Co. Ltd. General Manager Ms. Lee Mie Yee.

ASPAC Land, which owns the Metrobank Plaza Building that houses the Consulate General, undertook the improvement of the Consular Area. Philippine audio speaker exporter Dai-ichi, for its part, provided and installed PA systems.

Members of the Filipino community, PCG personnel and other guests were on hand to witness the milestone.

It was the first major renovation of the PCG premises since it moved to its present location in March 2010. Taking up the space of a former office wing by the Chancery entrance, the new Consular Area is modern, open, airy, and substantially larger. It sets aside 36.84 sq.m. (396.54 sq. ft.)  of floor space just for clients, with comfortable seating, compared to the previous site’s meager 25.40 sq.m. (273.40 sq.ft.).

The new Consular Area also doubled the number of service counters, from just four windows in the original location, to eight new, well-partitioned counters, each equipped with two-way intercom system. A new consular service queuing management system was also installed.

“The PCG is a service institution, and the Consular Area is the beating heart of the Mission”, said Consul General Ignacio. “through this larger, better planned space with improved amenities, we hope to improve the experience of the people we serve.”

The larger area also anticipates higher client traffic, with travel to the Philippines normalized and with China finetuning its own travel policies.

Invited to go through the new site, Filipino Community leaders and guests applauded the improved consular facilities and thanked PCG for this initiative.

Their reaction echoes feedback received since the commencement of operations at the new Consular Area almost three weeks prior. Filipino and foreign clients availing themselves of PCG’s services have voiced unequivocal praise and approval.

The Philippine Consulate General covers Shanghai and the provinces of Zhejiang, Jiangsu, Anhui and Hubei, with an estimated Filipino population of over 7,000. Until the COVID-19 pandemic, the PCG was among the Philippine Foreign Service Posts with the highest number of visa applications. END