Filipinos in the North African region now have a new foreign mission they can visit if ever they are based in Rabat, the capital of Morocco, where other international foreign posts can be found. Many Filipinos abroad seek the help of the embassy for various reasons.
One of these is to obtain their passports and other documents. The embassy can also help them get other vital documents such as birth certificates and death certificates.
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Aside from providing documents, the embassy also helps Filipinos with various issues related to their employment. This is because the institution also tries to help its clients solve their problems. Moreover, the embassy serves as the channel for both governments to issue important advisories concerning citizens and foreign residents in their respective places of jurisdiction.
For this reason, the Philippine embassy is an important establishment for all Filipinos, regardless of where they are in the world.
History — Philippine Embassy in Morocco
Although the Philippines and Morocco established diplomatic relations on April 10, 1975, the latter did not immediately establish a resident mission in the Kingdom.
The Philippines’ first embassy was opened in 1979. However, it was closed in 1986 following the People Power Revolution.
Since the Philippines already has other diplomatic missions in the region, such as its embassy in Tripoli, Morocco was under the jurisdiction of these facilities.
In 2019, the Philippines’ Foreign Affairs Secretary said that the embassy in Morocco would be opened.
The embassy was tentatively reopened on December 27, 2019, after Morocco and the Philippines signed an air services agreement.
Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 in Morocco, the embassy’s operations were suspended until October 2020. Its inauguration was then delayed until June 12, 2021.
Overview — Philippine Embassy in Morocco
Ambassador Leslie Baja was appointed as the new Ambassador of the Philippines to Morocco on December 3, 2020.
Before becoming Ambassador, Baja worked as a career diplomat for the Department of Foreign Affairs.
His appointment was confirmed on December 16. He presented his credentials to the Moroccan Foreign Minister on June 14, 2021.
The Embassy of the Philippines in Morocco is focused on providing the welfare of Filipinos in the country. Since it was reopened, it has carried out various outreach activities.
The embassy of the Philippines in Morocco has jurisdiction over several countries, including Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal.
After meeting with the Mauritanian President Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, Baja suggested establishing an honorary consulate in Nouakchott, to strengthen the Philippines’ presence in the country.
The establishment of the Philippine embassy in Morocco is expected to enhance the relations between the two countries. It will also help foster better opportunities for people to exchange and develop direct linkages.
The global economic situation has become more complex due to the implementation of the COVID-19 framework. This has created an opportunity for international cooperation to help build resilient economies.
The Philippine Embassy in Morocco aims to enhance its presence and capabilities in various African countries through its operations in these regions. It will also promote political and security cooperation.
About 5,000 Filipinos live in Morocco and its four provinces. Most of them are employed as household workers and hair and beauty attendants.
The mission of the Philippine Embassy in Morocco is to provide the best possible services to the Filipino community in the country. It also aims to enhance the profile of the Philippines in the various jurisdictions of Morocco.
Services Offered
For those who wish to know about the services offered by the Philippine Embassy in Morocco, you may refer to the following list:
Consular Services:
- Passport application
- MRP and MRRP
- Lost Passport
- Renewal for Minors
- For minors born abroad, applying for the first time
- For dual or newly-registered PH citizens
- Change in Name
- Issuance of travel document
- Civil Registry
- Notarial services
- (Certification, Affidavit, and Special Power of Attorney)
Labor Services
- Verification Services for a change of employers, job sites, or work
- Employment facilitation services for employers engaging services of Filipino skilled or professional workers
- Welfare services (e.g. conciliation, settlement of labor disputes, medical/hospital assistance, airport and repatriation, assistance for OWWA active and non-active members
- Community support and reintegration of OFWs and their families
Assistance to Nationals (ATN)
- Repatriation
- Medical assistance
- Shipment of remains
- Legal assistance and representation
- Rescue, evacuation, and assistance to victims of trafficking
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding the Services
What is the role of the Embassy of the Philippines?
The Embassy of the Philippines is the main representative of the country’s government in the Kingdom of Morocco and the region. It is also involved in promoting the interests of the Philippines.
Among its foreign thrusts include:
- Promotion of a positive national image
- Promotion of closer and mutually beneficial bilateral ties between the Philippines and the United States;
- Promotion of economic diplomacy to support national development;
- Promotion of national security;
- Promotion of Philippine culture; and
- Promotion of rights and welfare Filipinos overseas
What are the documents I should bring during my passport renewal?
Before applying for a renewal of your passport, make sure that you secure the necessary documents, including the following:
- Current Philippine passport
- Photocopy of your Philippine passport data page
- For a change of name, original PSA authenticated documents such as:
- Marriage Contract
- Annotated Birth Certificate
- Annotated Marriage Contract
- Death Certificate of Spouse
- Confirmed DFA appointment online
What are the documents needed when a minor wants to obtain a passport?
You need to bring all the necessary documents with you so that you can help your child apply for a passport. This means that aside from submitting the following documents, you also need to physically be with the minor during their passport application.
- Birth certificate
- Report of birth form
- Letter from the doctor who delivered the child attesting to the birth.
- Letter of consent with the signature of both parents
- Medical record of the child from the hospital where the child was delivered, in case the doctor can’t be located anymore.
- Original and photocopies of the passports of the parents.
What are notarial services provided by the Embassy of the Philippines?
Notarial acts are done by a consular official of the Embassy when signing documents that are intended for use in the Philippines. They do not include the drafting of legal documents.
What happens if I lose my Philippine passport?
You may have lost your passport abroad. However, there are certain requirements that you need to fulfill in order to get a new one. These are:
- A legal document showing your name, date of birth, and place of birth.
- Affidavit of Loss of Passport (this can be completed in the Philippine embassy but with a separate processing fee).
- Annulment/divorce, if applicable.
- Birth Certificate
- Death certificate of spouse, if applicable.
- Marriage Certificate if applicable
- Photocopy of your lost or destroyed passport, if applicable.
- Police report or case certificate
Is dual citizenship allowed?
You can apply for dual citizenship in the Philippines. However, you might need to obtain a certificate from the embassy to allow you to have two passports.
Tips When Visiting the Embassy
There are certain guidelines that you need to know about before visiting the embassy. Here are some of them:
CHECK WHETHER AN APPOINTMENT IS REQUIRED
Since the pandemic began and crowding in enclosed spaces, whether in private or public offices/facilities, have been discouraged, some Philippine foreign posts (embassies or consulates) require visitors to book an appointment online before availing of their services. That being said, the Philippine Embassy in Rabat requires an online appointment only for passport transactions via the GOAS website.
In a Facebook post, the Embassy of the Philippines said that it will allow walk-in transactions for the services listed below starting March 21, 2022, subject to the minimum public health standards:
- Exit Certification (for those who overstayed in Morocco)
- Notarial and Authentication of Documents
- Endorsement for NBI clearance; and
- Application for Embassy ID
WEAR DECENT CLOTHING.
Aside from reporting at the embassy in proper clothing, you should make sure that you are decent enough and observe proper decorum to be allowed entry into this public office.
PREPARE THE DOCUMENTS BEFORE YOU LEAVE.
As part of the embassy protocols, make sure that you have all the necessary documents in order to get to the embassy before you leave your home.
OBSERVE PERSONAL SAFETY AND SOCIAL DISTANCING
Aside from wearing masks, maintain a safe distance of about 1 meter from the people in the area. Also, it would be best to avoid crowded areas, so as not to contract any virus, aside from causing a ruckus at a given time in one spot. It would also be ideal to only use your own items (pen and paper), and observe personal hygiene such as regular hand sanitation and the use of tissue when coughing or sneezing.
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Opening Hours
Monday to Friday (10 AM – 12 PM; 2 PM – 4 PM)
Contact Information
Address: 23 Rue Bani Ritoune, Souissi, Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco
Tel. No: +212 694-202178
Website: https://rabatpe.dfa.gov.ph/
NOTES: Jurisdictions – Guinea, Mali, Mauritania, and Senegal.
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