Prior going to DFA today, I had our appointments scheduled a month ago via DFA's Passport Appointment System online. August 25 isn't the earliest on the schedule then, but it's the only schedule left which could accommodate me, Chris and Kat together. Just fill out the form, print it out, and have all requirements ready for the big day.
Thinking that the whole process would take half day, Chris and I filed for Vacation leave for this day. (Only to find out that it's really not needed)
I finished Tuesday shift and went home to rest while I'm waiting for Chris to return. He finished his shift at 5am and went home at 6am.
We left our house around 6:40 am since our schedules is at 7:00am. We took a cab and we're there at around 7:05am.
Upon entering the DFA grounds, I've noticed there are a lot of people already in line so I was worried whether the half day rumors are true. (My office mate Meann had her passport renewed last Monday and it took her around 5hrs to complete everything! She has different scenario, though.. Her passport was flooded during typhoon Ondoy)
The guard at the gate inspected my bag as SOP then he pointed us to go the nearby desk. There, an employee scanned the bar codes from my e-Passport application form which I printed out prior. The bar codes show our name and schedule on the computer. Then the guy highlighted our schedule on the sheet. He then mentioned to proceed to the next door at the right. Chris whispered, 'Yeah right, as if there is a door at the left'.. I chuckled... (the building is on your right side and it's the waiting area at the left)
At the door, the lady stopped us immediately as she said we can just proceed to the courtesy lane on the 2nd floor. I remember reading from a blogger about her experience that she wasn't accommodated on the 2nd floor even if she's with her 1yr plus daughter as they only accommodate infants less than 1 year, senior citizens and pregnant women. I read it caused her a lot of unwanted delay. I told the lady at the door, 'I thought it's only infants less than a year that is allowed there?' She smiled and politely told me, 'No, Ma'am. You can just proceed there.' I still doubt what she's telling me and I was about to protest when Chris told me, 'Just let it go. If that's what they told us, it's not our problem anymore' And I let it go.
We went to the 2nd floor where we have to sit and wait for the attendants at the podium to arrive. (Maybe they're late or whatever). While waiting, Kat saw a kid and a baby playing. She went to approach them and made friends. They were eating biscuits and imagine my horror when Kat took the biscuit at the toddler's hand! Such a brat she is! I apologize to the toddler's mom who's beside me. If it's not enough to just take the kid's food, Kat then hit the child very lightly at the head. Again, I was embarrassed at the girl's mom. I held Kat and made her sit at my lap all throughout our wait.
Finally, the attendants where there. Yahoo! We fall in line with the others in the courtesy lane. Our forms weren't completely filled out yet as I stick to follow the note to only fill it out in front of an authorize DFA employee. So instead of giving us a number immediately, the guy made me sign the forms while Chris and Kat wait inside the courtesy lane. He gave me a number after then I proceed to meet my family. It was around 7:30am that time.
We wait till our numbers were called. Chris noticed the signs saying it's P1,200 for the express passport processing and a P200 charge for something he can't read. (We were quite at the back). I panicked as I only prepared P900 (regular processing) for each of us, and P120 for delivery. I remember the other blogger said that she was also being asked to pay express (P1,200) during her mishap at DFA. I thought we have no choice but to pay for P1,400 each. I counted how much cash I have. I didn't bring extra as I don't want to overspend which is a tendency for me when I have a lot of extra cash. Trying to relax, I asked Chris if we can move closer to the counter for me to see what are those charges are. Luckily, the guy before me said out loud if he can just have his passport process regular. The guy at the counter okay-ed. Relief flooded me. I then saw that the P200 charge under the sign is for Lost Passport charge.
It was around 10 minutes then before our number was called. I submitted all our forms with the requirements needed. Just a little glitch happened when the guy didn't accepted Chris' TIN ID photocopy as it's not valid for unknown reasons to me. Good thing I came prepared by photocopying Chris' company ID. Counter guy accepted it asking Chris to sign the sheet as he can't see Chris's signature. The guy asked what type of processing would our passports be, and I said with conviction 'Regular!'. Hehe.
One thing that caused us delay, which something that we would've avoided, is having my e-Passport application form photocopied. The counter guy said I have to photocopy it and attached it to Kat's form as it's also one of her requirements. I've read this on the website and I completely forgotten it! So we went downstairs near the gate to have my form photocopied. The line is quite long and the Photocopier I must say is charging much! P3 for one page?! He clearly is taking advantage of the need of photocopying there. LOL! Need I say more?
We went back upstairs then and paid our fees at the Cashier near the Courtesy lane. Good thing there's no queue compared to the Cashier at regular passport applicants. That's what's great having a baby with you while applying for a passport. It's indeed a short cut.
After paying, we proceed at Enrollment area to get a number. This is where details are encoded and pictures are taken. We still have around 100 numbers ahead of ours so I decided to put some powder in while Chris and Kat relax at the seats. One thing I can commend at the floor is that it's fully air-conditioned. We were literally chilling in.
The numbers passed quickly since there are at least 70+ stations for data capture. Something really commendable since SSS has only 3 data capture stations when I apply for an ID before. It took me a whole day there. Hehehe
An employee is roaming around asking if applicants would like to avail courier services if you don't want to go back and pick your passport once it's released. We planned to avail this even before so I called the lady. She saw that ours was process at the courtesy lane so she said we need to go back to the courtesy lane again to have ours arranged there. There were still around 30 numbers before ours so I brought Kat with me to the courtesy lane to arranged courier services, which is a really, really a bad move.
There Kat don't want to be held and she keeps on running and playing with everything she can touch. I need to sign our delivery details on a sheet which I was having difficulties doing as I have Kat on my one hand as well. I was writing but Kat keeps on disarranging things at the lady's table there so I held her in my arms instead. I was trying to juggle Kat and my wallet at my right hand and writing at my left hand. I tried to put her at the table but she almost kicked the poor lady's laptop. OMG. Good thing, her assistant came and filled out the other 2 sheets I was supposed to fill out. I paid P360 for the three of us. (I still don't get it why we need to pay individually when all three of our passports can fit in 1 envelope). Anyway, I signed the receipt and left as it's only 1 number left before ours.
I rushed at station number 67 where a very nice lady is waiting for us. She scanned Kat's document first then asked Kat to posed for the camera. I keep on asking Kat to smile which she's shy to do at first. She took several shots of Kat but the one we chose is the one which Kat's not smiling. Hahaha. I checked and signed Kat's form after.
It was my turn next and while the lady is scanning my form I ask her if I need to remove my contact lenses. (I was warned by Meann that she was asked to removed her contacts last Monday. She was horrified since she didn't bring any case or solution with her then.) She said it's not needed if I use a clear contacts. I was not in the mood to protest so I just let her. I fixed my hair so it would fall on my cheeks but she said I must show my ears. Oh no! I wanted to hide my cheeks but who am I to protest? I signed my signature on a digital tablet after and have my left and right thumb mark scanned. While I was seated there, Kat keeps on climbing at my seat and smile in front of the camera. Hehe. The little child had fun doing poses from earlier.
Then Chris came next. He just did what we did as well. It was only then I remember to take pictures. LOL. I bring my camera out of my bag and took pictures. We thanked the lady after Chris is done and left.
Yes, we're finally done! Time Check: 8:30 am.
It took us at least 1 and a half hour to finish. Great, as I never expected I would finish that early especially since it's a government office. (Okay, I know, they're trying to improve the system). We would've finish earlier if we didn't need to photocopy my form downstairs.
All in all, it was an experience and I give it an 8.5 out of a 10!
Some of the photos I took while at DFA:
Kat posing for the camera
Kat and Chris
Tantrums...
Chris checking his form
A kid Kat made friends with at the Data Capture stations
Passport delivery service (Air21, LBC, DHL..)
On our way out...
Done!
