My One Hour Passport Renewal Experience

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the green and e-passport
I could still remember the first time I walked in at the Department of Foreign Affairs in Roxas Boulevard, Pasay to apply for my first ever passport, I was still with ABS-CBN back then. It took me and ate Nanette, our Associate Producer only a day to get our green passport as our tv program needed to shoot some scenes on an Asian Cruise and would be needing the passport the soonest possible time. We just handed the DFA Officer a memo from our Executive Producer, submitted a couple of requirements and wholla, Philippine passport in just one day! I'm so glad we were spared of the regular strenuous process one has to undergo. Yes, working in TV Production has that huge benefit.

The first application happened in July of 2007. Fast track 5 years later, I decided to renew my near expiration passport to the new E-Passport since I'm planning to visit other Asian countries this 2012. My recent Malaysia trip inspired me to see more of the outside world. And so last December 2011, I filled up an online application, chose a 9am appointment and arrived at DFA Aseana about 2 hours earlier (excited lang). No longer working in the world of TV Production, I took the regular process of passport application. But compared from stories I heard 5 years ago, the new process as they is a lot easier and much faster. We'll see...

December 27, 2011 - Not knowing how to commute going to the new office, I just decided to ride a taxi from Buendia. The initial plan was to drop by the office first to take a peek of the line and take a quick breakfast at a nearby McDonalds. My appointment was scheduled at 9am but needed to be there by 8:30am - I was there 15min past 7am. Upon entering, I saw a lady being hold at the gate because she was wearing sandals. Good thing SM Mall of Asia is just a ride away but hey, not wearing the right dress could give so much inconvenience so be informed. I went there wearing just a simple casual outfit - polo, pants and ballet flats. Gone are the days when one is required to wear a blazer for the passport photo.

A reminder from DFA:
The public is hereby advised of the dress code. Those who are wearing the following attire shall not be permitted to enter the premises of DFA-ASEANA:
* Sandos, spaghettis, backless, tubes
* Shorts
* Rubber Slippers / Sandals (example Flip-flops, Ipanema, Havaianas, etc)
* Sleepwears for minors below 7 years old, including infants

Upon entering gate 2, I presented my printed application form and went to confirm my schedule at the verification counter (tables seen right in front of Guards at Gate 2) before proceeding my way inside. The processing area is located at the ground floor where it's probably the longest process to take. Lining up is bearable as the whole area is air-conditioned and seats are readily available so applicants are not standing the whole time, providing so much comfort especially for older people. One thing I realized was it's okay to line up already when you get there earlier before your scheduled appointment so I just ditched the idea of taking breakfast. The process seems to be taking really fast with a lot of service windows open. After submitting my application form and support documents, I headed to the second floor of the building at the Passport Enrollment Section to pay the Php950 regular processing fee. I was then lead to Encoding Section just a few feet away from the cashier for data capturing (picture taking na ito). And just like most people who prefer to have their passport delivered, I proceeded to the Delivery counter and paid the Php120 delivery fee via LBC. I was out of the building before 8:30am! Mas matagal pa nilakbay ko!

This was probably the fastest transaction I experienced in a government office. Sana lahat ng government offices ganito. Peace!

Update: I got my passport on the exact day it was scheduled to be delivered.

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