Press Release No. 137-03
3 April 2003
TOWARDS
A WORLD CLASS FOREIGN SERVICE: DFA TO HOLD 2003 FSO EXAMINATIONS
Selection of Philippine diplomats through competitive examinations is an
important cornerstone for a world class foreign service, Foreign Affairs
Secretary Blas F. Ople said today as he announced the holding of the Foreign
Service Officers (FSO) Examinations for the year 2003.
The Board of Foreign Service Examinations of the Department of Foreign Affairs
(BFSE-DFA) will be conducting the Foreign Service Officers (FSO) Examinations.
“I would like to invite the best and the brightest of our country to join
our diplomatic corps. You will never run out of challenges and will
be in a position to promote our national interests and protect our Filipinos
overseas,” the Secretary said.
The FSO exams are held yearly by the BFSE to recruit into the Foreign Service
the best and brightest Filipino applicants of not more than 36 years of age
and who is a holder of at least a bachelor's degree in any 4-year course.
The exam consists of three separate portions: the Qualifying Test, the Written
Examinations, and the Oral Examinations.
Candidates must obtain a passing grade of 80% in the Qualifying Exams, and
75% and 80% in the Written and Oral Examinations respectively in order to
be certified eligible by the DFA for appointment as Foreign Service Officer
Class IV.
Applicants interested in a career in the Foreign Service may obtain application
forms from the DFA Main Office in Pasay, Manila, or any of the DFA Regional
Consular Offices either personally or by mail. Application forms are also
available at any of the Regional Offices of the Civil Service Commission.
The form is also available for download at the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph).
The Qualifying Test for this year's examinations will be held on 18 May,
while the Written Examinations will be held on 25, 26 and 27 July. The date
for the Oral Examinations will be announced by the BFSE sometime after the
Written Examinations.
END