The Department of Foreign Affairs in Dumaguete City has announced that it will no longer accept walk-in applicants who want to apply or renew passports.
Dumaguete DFA officer Tita Rebollos said the central office has increased their slots to 200 daily, but through appointments only, for the convenience of the applicants.
First time applicants should bring along with them their birth certificates, marriage certificate for female applicants, one valid identification issued by government and two supporting documents, such as NBI clearance, police clearance or barangay clearance.
For delayed registration, Form 137 from the school is required, and other clearances to include the SSS pink form while for birth certificates and marriage certificates that are not clear, a certification is required from the local civil registrar with one valid government issued ID.
Payment for passport applications is P1,200 for 10 working days and P950 for 20 working days.
Rebollos disclosed that from October 2015 up to the present, the DFA local office has issued a total of 23,682 passports, 3,124 in 2015, and 20,558 in 2016.
She said she believes the numbers will double this year because the DFA office has an average of 150 applicants daily with applicants coming from Bohol, Siquijor, Zamboanga del Norte, and Misamis Occidental.
Meanwhile, Rebollos clarified the 10-year validity period of passports is yet to be approved in the Senate even if the House of Representatives has passed the Bill. (JFP/JG)
