Had my passport appointment today in DFA Megamall. Was at the queue at 9:25 for my 10:00am appointment and there were already 40+ people in front of me. Elevators opened at 10:03 am. Processing windows were only filled with 8 pax at that time so mga 25 minutes yung waiting time for me. Some cases take parang two minutes lang to process and some took more than 10 minutes.
Tip: they require a photocopy of another valid ID aside from the passport. DFA website only says bring a photocopy of the old passport but apparently they require a photocopy of another ID. Andaming pumila sa xerox machine (in the same room lang naman kaso hassle pa to leave the line and photocopy) to photocopy another ID. Ako naman, ready na with photocopies of backup documents.
Posted this concern months ago:
I got the email confirmation with this phrase in red at the bottom of the email:
"** IMPORTANT **
It appears your personal information matches one or several other records of individuals who have similar passport information/personal details who may have violated provisions of RA 8239: The Philippine Passport Act of 1996. Passport processors/evaluators at your chosen application site may request you to produce additional documents and corresponding proof of identity upon interview, in order to ascertain that you are a different individual and consequently approve your passport application."
RA 8239 is the Philippine Passport Act.
I did not violate anything pramis!
My sister's email confirmation did not contain this clause.
This is worrying me. I plan to bring a ton of documents.
Anyone who also received their appointment with the phrase above?
I had somewhat-of-a-hunch what was this about.
The guy checked my application then left me at the window and he said he will just check something. He came back 10 minutes later - slight praning mode nako. He smiled and explained: "Okay na mam, lifted na pala DOST-ban nyo. Clear na po.". His supervisor (I think) came to the window and smiled and said "clear na mam".
I did have a hunch about that DOST status. I though this issue was dead. I was qualified for a DOST-scholarship but I did not claim it because hindi pwede course ko dun. But I was in DOST's list of scholars from 2001-2006. Wala akong malay. Nalaman ko lang na issue sya when I applied for NBI clearance in 2006. Had that case cleared and my name was lifted [ANG HASSLE SOBRA] I learned from my other classmates who were qualified and did not take the scholarship too. They had to go through that same process dahil may hit din sila sa NBI. Kasi you had to formally reject the offer pala para, hindi enough na hindi mo kinuha yung scholarship. Got the final letter clearing my name in NBI, DFA and BI in 2008. I renewed my passport nung 2012 and this was not flagged naman.
Anyway, I was glad hindi sya issue. I actually brought that 2008 clearance letter in case hingin. And they were very nice about it. Nakakainis lang that the issue cropped up pa rin [and nakakainis na issue sya talaga kasi hindi naman ako naging DOST scholar. Wala akong nakuha ni piso pramis!].
So... payment (I got express, Php 1200) then photo/signature taking. [Fees are more expensive during the weekend, +250] Waited for 15 minutes. Depende kasi kung gano kakulit yung mga nauna sayo.
May mahirap i-direct ng tilt ng head-angle, hair away from the face, ganun. I was wearing a sleeveless dress pero di pala dapat ganun so good thing I had a cardigan with me. During my tern, nag-alert nanaman yung "Watch List" sa window nya. You'll have to check all the details so be alert during this time.
After that, I paid for courier fee (Php 150)
The process took me an hour. Would've been shorter kung wala sana akong issue. But I'm glad the process was very convenient actually, and maayos yung movement ng pila.
