STRICTLY NO CHAPERONE ALLOWED. That's what really caught my attention while I was reading DFA's online appointment system. I was worried because my mom has to renew her passport but you see, she is a long time resident overseas and barely knows what when where why and how to roam around the Metro. I was thinking that if I don't go with her, she might get lost and someone might take advantage. I was really thinking hard and then I thought of a way to stay with her from step one to exit.
***
Alright, this is the new office of the Department of Foreign Affairs where people applies new and renew old passports. It's somewhere near Mall of Asia. From our place, we took a cab and just cost us P75.00... So far, no fixers yet :) It's around 8am when we arrived.
Once you walk to the entry gate, you'd see this big signage: PASSPORT APPLICANTS WITH ONLINE APPOINTMENT ONLY.
***
This is because walk in applicants are not allowed anymore. You have to go online to set an appointment or in our case, I booked through phone. Even if you try to sneak in, I bet you won't be able to enter because even the security guards look so educated on which papers the applicant has to have.
Anyway, since just entering the gate, there's already a guard checking the papers, I already prepared for my "winner alibi".
GUARD: Renew or bagong passport?
ELLAY: Renew po.
MOMMY: Opo, renew po.
G: Sinong applicant?
E: Sya po. (pointing to my mom)
G: Sya lang pwedeng pumasok. Isa lang pwede pumasok.
E: Kelangan ko po sya samahan eh. May sakit sya.
M: (trying to look weak)
G: Ah.. Ano'ng sakit nya?
E: May epilepsy kasi sya. Baka kasi magseizure sa loob, kailangan nya lagi may kasama.
G: O sige po. Pila po kayo dun.
E: (yes! success! hahaha)
M: (Tumingin lang saken)
*but my mom is not epileptic. we were just playing around. sorry guys.*
***
Hahahaha Funny?
So after we passed through that gullible security guard, the guy with the computer checked my mom's papers and found out that one of the forms was incorrect. Not that big a deal, he replaced it with the correct one but my mom's pen didn't write. No more ink. How's that? haha ...anyway, the computer guy let us used his pen. After filling out the form, he stamped our papers and directed us, "Unang pinto, kanan." just the way he told the other applicants who went before us. (same tone, same manner, same same. Unang pinto, kanan. Cool. haha)
***
Again, there's another guard at the "Unang pinto, kanan". This time, a lady. But I think, she's more gullible because when I said that my mom has an epilepsy, she let us in quickly. Like she wanted my mom to sit right away! HAHA Which made my mom giggle while whispering "Anak, ang hirap naman ng sakit ko. Wala bang iba?" Haha.
Just as we enter the building, we see that even there were a lot of people, the que was manageable and in order. It didn't take us so long to finally reach the counter. More or less 30 minutes.
This is Mommy who just sat after she whispered the, "Anak, ang hirap naman ng sakit ko. Wala bang iba?" ....her innocent grin :-/
Mommy again smiling :)
Yah, I know.. us again...
See the people on que? Dont worry. You wont be stucked there for hours :)
You might see that guy on brown. He's the one organizing which line you would take. Although his voice is loud, he didnt sound irritated or bossy. He looked fresh too hehe.
My mom, now one more que before she transacts with the lady in the window. Mom gave her documents to the lady and told her to proceed to 2nd floor for payment.
So, up we go to the payment counter.
Ma, happy huh?
On the 2nd floor, we went inside a big glass window near the escalator. We were looking for a long que and people who's gonna pay but the room was quiet and seats were empty. Stupid me, it's not the right place so went out and walked a little further and saw the sign STEP 2 PAYMENT/CASHIER hehe Paid the passport renewal fee and next to Step 3.
This is where your photo and finger prints will be taken. Jewelries and contact lens are not allowed. You have to take it off. It's okay to put on light make up or just powder up if you want to look fresh on the picture.
You see the walking guy wearing pink? The monitor above him is where you see which numbers are being served. Que is long here and this time, we really waited for quite a long time. Around 40 minutes something.
This is Mommy's number.
A lot of booths were vacant. Not sure why but a lot of booths were working, too, in fairness to them. You see the vacant seat? That's where you're supposed to seat and there's a digital camera pointed at your face.
Not sure if you could see the small little black thing there. That's where you put your finger for biometrics.
I forgot why i took this photo. I dont even remember who's this in red.
The guy there, he's doing nothing except he's printing, cutting and giving out que numbers to the applicants.
You might see him when you go to DFA. Lemme know if he still gives que numbers. I am intrigued. hehe
After the photo and biometrics, you will be asked if you want your passport to be delivered to your home. If yes, you go here. PASSPORT DELIVERY SYSTEM. You could see it right away. You just fill up the form (name address blah blah blah) and pay additional 120.
Then you go down the exit stairs.
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Overall, the application system is very organized and is not fuzzy at all. Hats off to the staff and the people behind this very disciplined set up :)
