Philippine Consulate General in New York Introduces E-Payment Services to Enhance Consular Experience

Consul General Senen Mangalile (2nd from Left) and NMD Group Corp. Chief Technology Officer Norbell Domingo (2nd from Right) sign the Contract for E-payment Services, witnessed by Mr. Florentino Granada (leftmost), the Consulate’s Administrative Officer, and Mr. Emmanuel Saluta (rightmost), the Finance Officer. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Ruth Galiza)

New York – Consul General Senen Mangalile signed the Contract for the Electronic Collection of Payment Services with NMD Group Corp on 03 July 2023, to launch the Consulate’s new e-payment services, aimed at providing enhanced convenience and efficiency to the Filipino community seeking consular services. NMD Group Corp, a leading electronic payment services provider, was represented by its Chief Technology Officer, Mr. Norbell Domingo during the signing ceremony held at the Kalayaan Hall Annex of the Philippine Center.

Starting from August 01, clients will have the option to make payments for consular services using credit and debit cards. This transition from cash-only transactions to electronic payments aligns with the modern financial landscape, making the payment process more convenient and secure for all individuals availing of consular services.

(From right to left) Vice Consul Paolo Marco Mapula, NMD Group Corp. Chief Technology Officer Norbell Domingo, Consul General Senen Mangalile, and Deputy Consul General Adrian Elmer Cruz prepare to address questions from the Filipino-American Press. (Photo courtesy of Ms. Ruth Galiza)

In addition to card payments, the Consulate is launching an online payment portal, providing clients with the flexibility to make payments from the comfort of their own homes. This user-friendly platform eliminates the need for face-to-face transactions, especially for civil registry services, videoconference hearings, and remote notarization.

To address the issue of appointment slot availability, particularly for citizenship reacquisition and retention, and legalization or consularization of documents, the Consulate has implemented a new policy requiring prepayment for all applicants. This prepayment requirement aims to deter no-shows and ensure a more efficient allocation of appointment slots. Prospective clients will be required to make a payment through the online payment portal before scheduling their appointments, ensuring a commitment to the scheduled appointment time.

Consul General Senen Mangalile expressed his enthusiasm for the launch of the e-payment services, stating “This e-payment system is in response to the feedback we received from our applicants, who for the longest time have been asking us to provide a system that would accept other payment options aside from cash or money order. We heard you and we have been working hard to respond to your clamor, and in a month’s time we will be ready to offer you this cashless facility.”

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