PRESS RELEASE

2010 FOREIGN SERVICE OFFICER (FSO) EXAMINATIONS 

The Philippine Embassy in Tehran hereby informs all Filipinos in Iran that the Board of Foreign Service Examinations will conduct the Foreign Service Examinations for qualifications as Foreign Service Officers (FSO) on the following dates:

Part I                       FSO Qualifying Test            28 March 2010

Part II                      Preliminary Interview          5 & 6 June 2010 (Tentative)

Part III                     Written Test                                          9, 10 & 11 June 2010 (Tentative)

Part IV    Oral Test                                               13, 14 & 15 October 2010 (Tentative)

Part V                     Psychological Test                              22-26 November 2010 (Tentative)

The testing centers for Part I are in the DFA regional consular offices in Baguio City, Cagayan de Oro City, Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City, Legazpi City, Quezon City, San Fernando City (Pampanga), and Zamboanga City. Tests are also held in the following venues outside the Philippines:

For North and South America-          Embassy of the Philippines, Washington, D.C.

For Asia and the Middle East-           Philippine Consulate General, Dubai, UAE

For Europe                                              -             Embassy of the Philippines, Vienna, Austria

Parts II and III will be administered at the DFA Main Office in Pasay City and depending on the results of the Qualifying Test, the Board will decide whether Part II of the examinations shall be conducted in testing centers in Cebu City, Davao City, Iloilo City and Zamboanga City. Parts IV and V will take place in Manila.

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

1. Age Limit - Applicants shall be less than thirty-six (36) years of age on 28 March 2010. The maximum age limit, however, does not apply to those who have been employed in the Department of Foreign Affairs or Foreign Service Institute for at least two years prior to the date of the FSO Written Examination and who meet the other qualifications required of candidates for the examination.
2. Education - Applicants shall have at least graduated from a four (4) year bachelor’s degree course or its equivalent, and shall present the transcript of records, and either the diploma, certificate of graduation or its equivalent, from a college or university of recognized standing.

3. Citizenship - Applicants shall be Filipino citizens. Pursuant to Republic Act No. 9225 and its Implementing Rules and Regulations, those who pass the FSO Examinations, with more than one citizenship, shall subscribe and swear to an oath of allegiance to the Republic of the Philippines and its duly constituted authorities, and renounce their oath of allegiance to any other country, prior to assumption of office.

HOW TO APPLY

1. Application forms may be obtained in the following ways:
a. Downloaded from the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph);
b. Personally secured from the Main Office or Regional Consular Offices (RCO) of the DFA;

2. Application forms shall be duly accomplished by the applicants and returned in person, not later than 05    February 2010 to any Regional Consular Office or Foreign Service Post, or not later than 12 February 2010 until 5:00 p.m. only to the DFA Main Office.

3. The following shall be attached to the completed application forms:

a. Certified True Copy (CTC) of transcript of records from college or university, bearing the seal of the college or university;

b. Certified True Copy (CTC) of diploma or certificate of graduation;

c. Original birth certificate issued by the National Statistics Office, and
● for a naturalized Philippine citizen: a copy of naturalization papers or Philippine passport,
● for a Philippine citizen who has dual or multiple citizenships: a notarized affidavit stating that upon passing the examination, he/she intends to renounce his/her oath of allegiance to his/her other countries of citizenship;

d. Eight (8) pieces 1-1/2in. x 2in. black and white or color studio-taken photographs, taken within six (6) months before the date of the examination, showing the full frontal view of the face of the applicant with a name tag, i.e. Juan M. dela Cruz, Jr. (photocopied, scanned and digitally enhanced pictures shall not be accepted); and

e. Two (2) self-addressed and self–stamped envelopes marked as priority mail.

A non-refundable admission fee of five hundred pesos (P500.00) shall be collected from those who shall take the 2010 Qualifying Test upon acceptance of their application.

Please click this URL for more information and for the FSO application form, http://dfa.gov.ph/?cat=1