THE Department of Foreign Affairs’ Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) staged an awareness seminar, “Coronavirus Disease [COVID-19]: The Agent and the Disease” on February 20.
The seminar, facilitated by City Health Officer of Parañaque and the President of the Health Officers of Metro Manila, Dr. Olga Z. Virtusio, was broadcast live to the 35 consular offices of the DFA across the country.
Virtusio gave a brief history, definition and description, as well as described the signs and symptoms of COVID-19. She also shared effective, preventive and protective measures against the disease, then briefed the team on the various initiatives led by the Department of Health.
Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs Neil Frank R. Ferrer thanked Virtusio for the invaluable information and insights she shared. He also noted that the OCA has implemented measures and initiated information campaigns on COVID-19 to protect the health of the frontline staff and the public who visit the consular offices for passport and other consular services. DFA