I just got my passport! Well, not really today, but last May 19. I processed it 7 business days ago, and got an appointment last April 29. Yep. April 29.

Before, I was incredulous that I have to line up as early as 3 A.M. in front of the D.F.A.’s office but after I went there myself last April. I found out it’s true. Actually, my aunt and I arrived at 6 A.M. already.

Supposedly, we should have been there an hour earlier but she arrived late at our meeting place. We took a taxi from Shaw Boulevard to DFA’s office, almost a 30-minute ride. As soon as we arrived and get off from the taxi, men in business attire walked toward us and asking if what we were going to process. At the back of my mind, I said, “Wow, how accommodating the people are in the DFA that they ask their applicants as soon as they arrive.” But my aunt drove them away, saying we don’t need them.

These men and women that seemed eager to help us were the FIXERS. Yeah. Amazingly, there are a lot of fixers in front of the DFA’s office and they are not still caught when they are doing their operations obviously. I guess there is no certain case to file against them eh? I heard though that this scenario was already covered by Imbestigador, but still fixers are here busy with their ‘operations’–confusing and abusing new applicants. I was glad that my aunt accompanied me on applying for a passport, because if not because of her, I might have convinced by these fixers because they seem real!!!

My aunt also told me that, if we only started walking from the LRT Libertad station, we might have experienced people walking with us, telling us about stories of applying for a passport, and lure us to process the passport with them. But since we took a taxi, I didn’t.

So, we went in and I really saw the long line. But among these people lining up, only 500 individuals will be entertained that day. Those who didn’t make it like me, were given an appointment. I talked to some applicants there and asked what time they arrived, and some said 3 A.M., some 1 A.M. But according to many, the best time to line up and be one of the 500 lucky applicants is at 11 P.M. of the previous day. Crazy eh? Well, you can do that if you really want to get your passport soon, but if you aren’t in a hurry, you could still get an appointment, which is scheduled maybe after a week or later. I got a week later appointment after lining up at 6 A.M. Just beware of those fixers. Mind you, they will even be angry if you tell them bad words. Just ignore them!

Aside from these requirements for new passport applicants, here are other details:

• You will get the application form inside the compound.
• Photocopy costs 1.50 php each. (well I really can’t remember, but for sure not one peso or less)
• Asking someone to paste or to staple your photo, and a plastic pouch for the picture costs fifteen pesos. Outside the compound, the cost of this service is ten pesos. (As if you have other choice if you are already there without a paste, a stapler, and a small plastic transparent pouch to put your photos in. If you have these things at your home, then bring it with you since you need them with your form.)
• Black pen costs ten pesos. (So bring a pen)
• If your photo is not the prescribed one, there are several photo services inside and outside the compound.

DFA offers a new service though in getting a Philippine Passport. They call it, DFA Express Passport Delivery. Wherein you apply online, or over the phone, and just send your requirements through a courier, then get an appointment. However, this costs more, and I am not sure if they will refund your payment if something is wrong with your requirements. You can also inquire in a travel agency to process your passport application.