Hi guys!!! It has been a while again, but hopefully now I would be able to write more. A lot has happened and from the look of things, a lot is still in store for the next year.
Translation, SY 2011-2012, I am now counting my year based on the school year calendar. Why? I have since last year (SY2010-2011) took to teaching at a Waldorf School in Baguio : ) Yup, talk about another career change. So we’ll see how this path will unfold.
Meantime, I just have to share some great news! This time about our government. I know what you are probably thinking, like “some” jaded Filipinos about our government (I’m sorry to admit that I was also this way), “Is that even possible?”
Well, apparently I am so ecstatically happy that I was wrong!!!
Maybe some of you have heard of “Philippine Passport Saga” (as my very wise friend calls it) and some have the misfortune to still be in one. Translation, the more-than-two-month-long-wait-for-appointment-and-release process of having new and renewing passports. Woe to the traveller who has can-not be changed plans.
I was one of those people just a few days ago.
So how did it happen? For those who can not afford to wait and really have important travel plans, here are some of the things we did (me and my colleagues):
For earlier passport appointments:
1. Renew at your local Regional Consular Office (RCO)
I have two friends who really went all the way out to Lucena but they didn’t have to go through the online appointment system. They just had to line up extremely early (read as 6am) so they can be part of the 300 quota for the day. But, before lunch they were finished!
2. Ask a provincial travel agency if they have passport appointment schedules
According to my travel agency in Baguio, some are “accredited” to have blocks of appointments for some dates, I’m guessing its to accommodate the processing of passports for contracted OFWs.
Yes you would have to pay extra, yes it would probably be more than double the actual rates but it won’t be anything like what my Manila travel agency would charge which is more than P10,000! But the upside is you would probably get a schedule sooner than the online appointment system. I actually paid P2,800 for my RUSH processing, but I got a schedule on Feb. 25, confirmed it on Mar 10 (talk about being indecisive until the very last minute), had my appointment on Mar 11 (yup the day after).
For timely release of passport:
1. A really good reason. I’m just guessing here but touristy-plan related excuses would probably not get you far. But having really important reasons to go might just get you somewhere.
Like I told you, I have just recently took up the heavy responsibility of being a Waldorf teacher, more on that later, though I’ve had some training before, it was a really challenging year. So I knew I just had to get more training, there was no other way around it. There were several options available, two of which were so out of budget, the third (self-study) has its limitations. So given what I had to do and with what I can come up with, I opted to get a Thailand-based training instead. But my passport has been expired for more than 10 years!
But still months of indecision on whether to continue on this new path, led to delayed planning and before I knew it, it was almost too late. But with God’s grace, the universe aligning and the help of everyone along the way, I got my passport with time to spare!
2. Ask. There are no guarantees but there’s nothing wrong with asking. I was pleasantly surprised with all my interactions with RCO La Union.
On February, When I had a question about the appointments, I emailed and I got a response in 30 mins.
On April 15, when I emailed them about my predicament at 6:30am, then calling them at 9am, they have already read my email. And I was informed they will forward my request to the Manila office. I was just to follow-up the day before my scheduled release date.
Being the OC I can be, I emailed again on April 20, on Holy Wednesday, expressing the urgency of my request.
Come April 25, 9am Monday after Easter, I called again making the follow-up, I was told they would give me a letter request for immediate release which I was to hand over personally. I got the letter at 9:35am!
3. Always be polite, they are the human part of the system and can only help expedite things and being a pleasant makes for an easier transaction. Remember you are just asking for help.
4. Express your gratitude. This has probably nothing to do with it but I feel it is but important that we express our gratitude to those people who helped out.
It helps them do a better job knowing that their efforts are appreciated.
It helps others become inspired to do the same.
It helps Filipinos feel there is hope afterall.
Like all great sagas, my “Passport Saga” has one such great ending….
After all that, on April 27, I went to the new DFA in Manila, got a numbered ticket, went to the RCOCC office, got my passport in less than 5 minutes!
This is one saga of a post with hardly any pictures I know, but it is my way to saying a BIG THANK YOU!!! to Ms. Dada Decena, Ms. Maryann Olier, Director Fernando Beup, Mr. Moises Ocampo, Mr. Jasor Oronce and Mr. Kristoffer Comaya, DFA La Union, DFA Manila, DFA Lucena. I never met anyone of you personally, some I didn’t even talk to but I am so grateful for whatever help you have done to make my Passport Saga have a happy ending.
The even better news, I and my colleagues are not the only ones who got responsive and efficient service from the DFA. You probably know more good news about the DFA or any government office. Isn’t about time we share more of these?
Please note: I am in no way connected to any DFA office, nor have any relatives there or made any extra-ordinary arrangements to get my passport on time, I just had the good fortune of just having it the way it happened.
Let’s share more good news for the Filipinos.
Theresa
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Hi,
May i know the travel agency you approached here in Baguio? I tried one and they said that if I apply now, I’d be getting the passport by August 10, which is 3 months(rushed) from now. I find that unreasonable since the DFA website says it takes 6 weeks to process (if not rushed). Thanks!
hello nice to heard the good news.can i ask what is the address new dfa manila philppine saga!?how much the fee cost please help me.tnz
So u didnt have to show the proof of ur urgency?
Hi Lian, I was transparent with my request and forwarded all my communication pertaining to the reason for my travel. I didn’t know if it was checked but it was to show my request was legitimate : )
@cherie: Hi cherie, you can try gracious or gaymor : )
good luck!
@jennie r. samoya: Hi Jennie. I believe it is just P900 for regular processing at the DFA Manila its near S&R at Roxas Boulevard. Good luck!
Are there really ,long line at the DFA and the workers there are proceesinf paper woprk for people at 8pm ?
Good Day Ms. Theresa!
Thank you for sharing.
My 4 year old daughter is in the Philippines and together with her dad they just applied for her passport in DFA Zamboanga City but was advised that the release date of her passport was September 15, 2011 (expedited processing). The sad part is that our family has booked a flight to Hong Kong on August 29, 2011. Since 7 of us here in the U.S. has already finalized the plan, we are not able to change it because the vacation request for our employers was long submitted and none of the dates from September 15, 2011 until the end of the year are available. Is there a way to get my daughter’s passport earlier than the released date? If i do the request to make it faster what valid reasons do you think i should use for them to release her passport as soon as possible. Last week of August is fine but earlier would be best. Please advise us what to do.
Hi, Ms. Jamaica. I am not sure about having your passport earlier than the release date. But it would not hurt to try and writing to them about your request. Good Luck!
hi theresa…My name is Dina, i would like to ask if is possible for me to have passport within 10 days? my mom (working as DH)was given opportunity by her boss to have me see her in their vacation in malaysia…this was so sudden that i am not prepared..its been years since ive seen here…i hink that was my college days..I know its quite not sure but im still trying if i could have a chance to rush up my passport…by the way im here in iloilo and it take 5 weeks here to have a passport…im still willing to go there in manila if i could still make it in 10 days…
thank you so much….just browsing web if i could still find idea on what to do…