Message For U.s. Citizens: Acs Closure On Wednesday, October 2, 2013

[jamesmusslewhite]

 

MESSAGE FOR U.S. CITIZENS

 U.S. Embassy, Manila, The Philippines

September 30, 2013

 

 THE EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES IS TRANSMITTING THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION THROUGH THE EMBASSY WARDEN SYSTEM AS A PUBLIC SERVICE TO AMERICAN CITIZENS IN THE PHILIPPINES. PLEASE DISSEMINATE THIS MESSAGE TO ALL U.S. CITIZENS IN YOUR ORGANIZATION OR NEIGHBORHOOD. 

 American Citizen Services Unit Closure - Wednesday, October 2, 2013

 

The American Citizen Services (ACS) unit is closed for routine services the first Wednesday of each month.  The next ACS closure is scheduled for Wednesday, October 2, 2013.  The ACS unit will resume normal services on Thursday, October 3, 2013.  In case of an emergency involving a U.S. citizen, please call the Embassy operator at +63-2-301-2000 for assistance.

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The Embassy is located at 1201 Roxas Boulevard, Manila, Philippines and is open 0730-1600, Monday through Friday.  The Embassy's main telephone number is (632) 301-2000.  U.S. citizens needing to speak to the Embassy can dial this number and ask to be connected to the American Citizen Services (ACS) unit or with the Embassy Duty Officer (for calls outside of normal business hours).  You can also contact the ACS unit through email at ACSInfoManila@state.gov or through the Embassy Facebook page.  Please visit our website for information on all services offered by the ACS unit.

 

We strongly recommend that U.S. citizens travelling to or residing in the Philippines enroll in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) program.  Registering gives you access to updated information on travel and security within the Philippines and makes it easier for the Embassy to contact you in case of emergency.  If you don't have Internet access, enroll directly at the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate.

 

You can also stay up to date by bookmarking the Department of State's website, which contains all current Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts, as well as the current Worldwide Caution.  Please consult the Country Specific Information on the Philippines, for general information about the Philippines. For additional information, refer to "A Safe Trip Abroad" on the State Department's website. 

 

Contact the U.S. Embassy for up-to-date information on travel restrictions.  Current information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada, or a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444 for callers from other countries.  These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).  You can also stay up to date by "following" us on Twitter and "liking" the Bureau of Consular Affairs on Facebook.  You can also download our free Smart Traveler App, available through iTunes and the Android market, to have travel information at your fingertips. 

 

[jon1]

I would expect more closures in the near future due to the lack of a US Govt Budget in place. There are thousands of government workers in "non-critical" areas being furloughed. Embassies in "non-danger" zones will be impacted for sure. I do not know the full ramifications yet.