The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is the Philippine government department that is tasked to help enhance national security, protect national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and contribute towards sustaining the country’s development.
Likewise, the Department is mandated to help protect the rights and promote the welfare of Filipinos overseas. It is also responsible for promoting the Philippine culture and establishing mutually beneficial ties with other nations.
Vision, Mission, and Core Values
According to its official website, the DFA envisions “a resilient foreign service for a strong Philippines.” Correspondingly, its mission is to promote and protect the country’s interests in the global community.
The Department is guided by the following core values: Patriotism, Integrity, Professionalism, Excellence, and Service.
Organizational Structure and Offices
The DFA is headed by the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, with the following undersecretaries:
- Undersecretary for Administration;
- Undersecretary for Bilateral Relations and (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) ASEAN Affairs;
- Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs;
- Undersecretary for Migrant Workers Affairs; and
- Undersecretary for Multilateral Affairs and International Economic Relations.
Notably, the DFA has several line offices, as follows:
- Department Legislative Liaison Unit;
- Human Resources Management Office;
- Intelligence and Security Unit;
- Internal Audit Service;
- Office of Account Management and Support Services;
- Office of Civilian Security;
- Office of Consular Affairs;
- Office of Fiscal Management Services;
- Office of Migrant Workers Affairs;
- Office of Policy Planning and Coordination;
- Office of Protocol;
- Office of Public and Cultural Diplomacy; and
- Office of Treaties and Legal Affairs.
Moreover, with regard to managing political and economic relations in different regions, the Department has the following offices:
- Maritime and Ocean Affairs Office;
- Office of American Affairs;
- Office of ASEAN Affairs;
- Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs;
- Office of European Affairs;
- Office of International Economic Relations;
- Office of Middle East and African Affairs; and
- Office of United Nations and International Organizations.
Key Services
The DFA provides various services for Filipinos, both inside and outside the country. These include passport services, authentication, civil registration, Assistance to Nationals (ATN), and visa services.
- Passport Services. The Department oversees the issuance and renewal of e-passports for Filipino citizens. It even has a “Courtesy Lane” for senior citizens, pregnant women, persons with disabilities (PWDs), solo parents, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs).
- Authentication. The DFA issues “Apostille” certificates for Philippine official documents that will be used abroad.
- Civil Registration. The Department facilitates the processing of Reports of Birth, Marriage, and Death of Filipino nationals overseas.
- Assistance to Nationals (ATN). The DFA provides temporary shelter, emergency aid, legal assistance, repatriation, and welfare assistance to Filipinos abroad.
- Visa Services. The Department issues visas for foreign nationals who plan to travel to the Philippines.
All of these services may be availed at DFA Consular Offices in the Philippines, and at Philippine Embassies/Consulates globally.
Contact Information: DFA Home Office
For inquiries and other concerns, you can get in touch with the DFA Home Office through the following contact details:
Address: Double Dragon Tower, 76 DD Meridian Ave, Pasay City, Metro Manila
Telephone: 02 8 834 4000
Website: https://dfa.gov.ph/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dfaphl/
Google Map:
Together with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA), the DFA is here to make sure that the rights and welfare of Filipinos around the world are upheld and protected. In addition, it plays a vital role in establishing good relations with other countries.