(From Left) Acting Director Atty. Dyan Kristine B. Miranda-Pastrana of DFA-OCA Authentication Division, Director Conrado B. Demdem Jr. of DFA-COCD, Assistant Secretary Adelio Angelito S. Cruz of DFA-OCA, Lucena City Mayor Mark Don Victor B. Alcala, CO Lucena Head of Office Ms. Maria Criselda P. Abril, and General Manager of Pacific Mall Corporation Ms. Ma. Roceo R. Rito led the ceremonial ribbon-cutting during the launching of the first Apostille Receiving Center (ARC) in DFA Consular Office Lucena on 24 May 2024 (Ribbon-cutting ceremony photos courtesy of Pacific Mall Corporation and Roy Sta. Rosa).

LUCENA 30 May 2024 – DFA Consular Office (CO) Lucena conducts the launching ceremony of the First Apostille Receiving Center (ARC) on 24 May 2024 at its office premises located at the 3rd level of Pacific Mall Lucena. The said event was attended by esteemed guests and visitors from the DFA Office of Consular Affairs (DFA-OCA), DFA Consular Offices Coordinating Division (DFA-COCD), DFA Multi-Purpose Cooperative (DFAMPC), OCA Authentication Division, City Government of Lucena, and local and national media agencies.

General Manager of Pacific Mall Corporation Ms. Ma. Roceo R. Rito thanked the distinguished guests for their support, including COCD Director Conrado B. Demdem Jr., OCA Authentication Division Acting Director Atty. Dyan Kristine B. Miranda-Pastrana, and Authentication Division Assistant Director Manuel C. Ayap.  Hon. Mark Don Victor B. Alcala, City Mayor of Lucena highlighted in his remarks how ARC will be helpful to the constituents of Lucena City and neighboring municipalities and provinces.

Head of Consular Office Lucena Ms. Maria Criselda P. Abril introduced the event’s keynote speaker: Hon. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz, Assistant Secretary of DFA-OCA. He mentioned how ARC will be helpful in addressing the demand for authentication services. 

“The Apostille Receiving Center will allow CO Lucena to receive applications for Apostille, which will then be transmitted to DFA Aseana for processing and issuance which will then be mailed directly to the applicants,” Asec Cruz said in his speech. He also expressed his gratitude to the management of Pacific Mall and the local government of Lucena City for their support and hospitality.

Mayor Mark Alcala and Asec Adelio Angelito Cruz, along with fellow guests and directors, commenced the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony. They proceeded to have an inspection of the ARC equipment inside the office premises. The event finished with the serving of a banquet at the activity center of Pacific Mall Lucena. 

In a news article published by Belinda Otordoz of the Philippine News Agency on their website, she quoted Asec Cruz saying the following during an interview: “DFA Lucena is one of the best among our more than 40 consular offices across the country and we are grateful to Mayor (Mark) Alcala for bringing ARC to one of our best offices.” END

Asec Adelio Angelito S. Cruz giving his keynote speech during the ARC launch ceremony; esteemed guests line up in front of DFA Lucena office after the ceremony (Photos courtesy of Pacific Mall Lucena)
Photo opportunity with Asec. Adelio Angelito S. Cruz along with COCD Director, Authentication Directors and staff, and several CO Lucena staff (Photo courtesy of Pacific Mall Corporation); Photo of the newly-opened Apostille Receiving Center