No escorts allowed at new DFA facility for passport applicants

In a bid to prevent fixers from ruining its new passport processing system, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will adopt a “no escorts" rule inside its new consular building.

The DFA made this clear on the weekend before it starts accepting passport applications with confirmed appointments at its new consular building on Monday, March 8.

“To avoid being victimized by fixers, applicants are advised to deal only with DFA-OCA (Office of Consular Affairs) personnel inside the building. No escorts are allowed to accompany individual applicants," the DFA said on its website.

It added applicants will need to bring necessary requirements such as the application form available for download at the DFA website and at the reception desks of the new consular building.

On the other hand, applicants are no longer required to bring photographs and will instead have their pictures taken using ePassport data capturing machines at DFA-OCA.

The DFA said the new ePassport technology has built-in capacity to detect fraud by capturing biometrics, signature and fingerprints of applicants.

“Applicants are also advised that only genuine documents should be submitted," the DFA said.

The new 7,000-square meter, four-storey OCA building is located at the corner of Macapagal Avenue and Bradco Street, Aseana Business Park.

Applicants may set an appointment by going online at www.passport.com.ph or by calling 737-1000, while travel agents can secure an appointment at www.dfa.gov.ph or email at scheduler@dfa-appointment.net.

They may also call 834-4961, 834-4855 and 834-3707 for other details.

The DFA likewise stressed only those with confirmed appointments will be accommodated at the new facility.

“This appointment system will be strictly implemented to enable DFA to pre-process information submitted in advance by an applicant, thus avoiding long queues, as experienced by walk-in applicants at the DFA-OCA main office in Roxas Boulevard," OCA Assistant Secretary Renato Villapando said.

The new OCA building is part of the ongoing modernization program in the agency to improve its frontline services, which include harnessing new technologies in passport and visa issuances and streamlined procedures in the authentication of documents.—Jerrie M. Abella/JV, GMANews.TV

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