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Mr. Larry spoke eloquently of the programs and projects of the DFA. One of the birth-pains, so to speak, of the DFA nationwide is the delay in the release of passports to applicants. While it took only five working days before for the regular processing of the passport to be released and three working days for express-lane, nowadays it will take fifteen working days for express-lane and twenty five working days, or about five weeks, for regular processing.
This problem is not caused by inefficiency but rather by the evolution from the old passports to new ones manufactured by NEC of Japan. NEC won the bidding for passport-making to comply with international standards which would make Philippine passports machine-readable by immigration counter-machines all over the world. If we will not comply with international passport standards, Filipinos cannot enter foreign countries since our passports will not be read by the immigration machines and the data contained in the passports will not be stored in their computer data base.
And in complying with international passport standards, the DFA contracted with NEC of Japan and the numerous passport requests, which is about 4,000 passports a day nationwide, caused the delay. However, we can rest assured that in the coming months NEC and the DFA will increase the daily passport production.
This new passport system also ensures that passports will be more reliable, authentic and not easily faked as there are new features in the passports which would make faking more difficult. Thus, the DFA begs understanding and patience among the applicants for this necessary delay in releasing the passports.
- In terms of renewal of passports, the applicant will just bring his old passport and fill out the application for renewal form, have four passport pictures with blue background ready, pay the fees and off he goes. No added documents required. That simple, yes.
- For new passport applicants who are above 18 years old, one has to bring an authenticated copy of the Birth Certificate, Marriage Contract (if a married woman) and two other primary documents showing proof of identity like a Voter’s Record, Baptismal Certificate, Transcript of Records, SSS or GSIS identification documents, Driver’s License and employment records.
- Applicants who are less than 8 years old or over 65 years old need not personally appear at the DFA. They could be represented by their next of kin.
Every applicant should declare truthfully if he was already issued a passport before because the misdeclaration can be checked by the computer data base. Applying for a passport under the name of another person is a crime and the penalty of imprisonment reaches fifteen years!
It has been markedly observed that the advent of computer technology has made passport application much easier and the documentary requirements most minimal.
Also, Mr. Larry Sumando is happy to inform the public that the DFA has already acquired a lot inside the LimKetKai Complex near the Mandaue Foam building and they are constructing their office building there. Surely it is most accessible and most convenient for passport applicants who come from all over the country. Yes, anyone can apply for a passport in Cagayan de Oro even if one is born in Zamboanga or in Ilocos Norte. Even if the original passport which already expired was issued in Manila, or Davao or Cebu, the renewal of an expired passport can be made in Cagayan de Oro DFA office.
Surely, efforts by the DFA will not go unnoticed. Efficient, effective and quick service to the people had always been the focus of DFA Cagayan de Oro Regional Office, although their regional grouping is not the ordinary one as the DFA Regional office covers CARAGA Region, the Lanao provinces, Misamis Occidental, Bukidnon, Camiguin and Misamis Oriental.
It is really a welcome relief to know the efforts exerted by DFA regional office here and to know that both the regional director and the assistant regional director here are Cagayanons. They studied and grew up here. Although they have been posted abroad several times like Switzerland for Melicor and Tokyo, Japan for Sumando, these two gentlemen still went home to be of service to their fellow Cagayanons. The staff also of DFA Cagayan de Oro have always been most courteous and hardworking. We did not even know that as we went home to our homes after office hours, the personnel of Melicor and Sumando continued to work overtime way late into the night or even of weekends just to come up with deadlines and do quality work.
These men and women of this DFA regional office here are ever aware that being of service to the people is the most satisfying feeling and the a grateful public is the reward that eases the burden of this government job. My kudos to the DFA regional office of Cagayan de Oro. May your tribe increase!
