Surprise

At long last, our sked for passport application and renewal has arrived.  It took us roughly two months since we secured appointment online late September.  We chose the 2:30 pm slot so we wouldn’t be cramming to get to DFA.  We decided to leave the house at 10:30 am to provide for possible delays along the way.  And delay there was, big time!

We were coming from San Mateo and based on my daily experience, it would only take a 45-minute drive from the house to SM Marikina even in normal traffic conditions, Philippine context.  To my unpleasant surprise, traffic was massive along Marcos Highway.  It was almost 12 nn when we got out of Marcos and traffic eased out as soon as we got to the diversion road going to Libis.  However, traffic greeted us again as soon as we entered E. Rod Jr. all the way to DFA-Aseana Office.  We finally got there at 1:15 pm.  Had a quick bite at McDonald’s, which was jam-packed, then went in to start what would be almost 3 hours of waiting.

Online applicants use Gate 2 to go inside the premise where a guard checks your valid application form.  You will not be let in if you don’t have one, as chaperons are only allowed to minors.  Once in, proceed to the immediate table for online appointment verification where an officer will check your application form and mark it.  You can now go inside the building and start the application proper.

Step 1. Processing and Documents Evaluation.

(This picture was taken after being emptied out by applicants at around 5pm because I did not initially think of writing a blog for what I thought would be a horrible experience.)

Do not be overwhelmed by the very long snaky line as it would only take you around 10 minutes for your turn.  At the end of the line, an officer will direct you to a window where your documents are to be evaluated.  Upon verification, the officer will ask you whether you want the processing “Express (Php 1200, delivered in 10 days)” or “Regular (Php 950, delivered in 20 days).  A receipt will be attached to your application.  Proceed to the second floor for the next step…

Step 2.  Payment for processing fee.

Go to the cashier at the second floor and present only the receipt that was attached to your application form.

Step 3.  Encoding / Enrolment.

Don’t get too excited!  You first need to get a queue number.  Now this is the gruesome part.  The number I got was 2868, the number being served, as shown in an overhead monitor, 2303.  Worse, there’s hardly any seat available so you have to be very patient in getting one.  My suggestion is that you assess first how long the processing takes and estimate how much time it would take before your turn.  In our case, it took almost 3 hours.  So, you can either go somewhere else, there’s a Starbucks across the street (I wouldn’t recommend McDonald’s) to pass time comfortably or just stay there until you get a seat and doze off.  You can also bring your laptop and Facebook all you want, just make sure to have a full battery or secure the seat near an outlet.  As soon as your number is flashed on the monitor, go to the table number assigned as indicated next to your queue number.

The officer will scan your documents, encode your personal data and get your finger prints and electronic signature.  Afterwards, he/she will ask you to check the encoded information, then prints a form which you will have to check again for accuracy and finally sign.  Your application is done.

Step 4.  Passport Delivery.

This one is optional as you can pick up your new passport on the scheduled date.  However, I would definitely suggest you just have it delivered at a very minimal fee of Php 120.  You just have to proceed to the Passport Delivery Service area where they will issue you a receipt…

As for me, it was a very organized process, light years away from the old system at the old DFA office.  No fixers to harass you and you get to fall in line and wait in an air-conditioned area, on sturdy non-squeaking, non-wobbling new seats  You don’t need any travel agency to help you out as the process is uncomplicated at all, a first in government service.  All you need is a whole lot of patience in waiting.