DFA: 6 temporary offsite passport services to operate until Dec. 2021

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) announced on Tuesday that six of its temporary offsite passport services will continue operations until December 2021 to address the increasing demand for passport appointment slots. The six offsite passport services are located in SM Mall of Asia in Pasay City, SM North EDSA in Quezon City, SM Aura in Taguig, Robinsons Place Las Piñas, Robinsons Place Magnolia in Quezon City, and Ayala Glorietta 3 in Makati. The DFA has also started rolling out regional temporary offsite passport services facilities across the country. Earlier, the DFA opened its first temporary offsite passport service facility in Olongapo City last Sept. 1, while it also opened a service facility in San Pedro, Laguna on Monday, Oct. 4. “The department is also working to open more TOPS sites in other regions of the Philippines to serve more Filipinos living outside Metro Manila who are in need of a passport,” the DFA said in a statement. “The department requests the public’s understanding and cooperation as it strives to deliver efficient and effective passport services to the public while ensuring the public’s safety and health,” it added. Some OFWs who had been repeatedly going to the DFA in the hopes of getting their passports aired their anger and frustration at the delay in the issuance of the documents. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News

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