The 20th of October was one of the most unforgettable lowest point of my life.
Why is this so?
This was because I went home with a news that my passport renewal application was unsuccessful!
A month ago, I wrote about this and the major reason was because my surname was unclear/unreadable.
A REQUEST FOR LOCAL COPY
One DFA staff told me to come back again with a clear copy of my "birth certificate" this time reiterating that I should be requesting for a "local transcription copy".
This actually a copy details of your personal information in a type-written format, to ensure that all entries are readable and very clear.
The DFA staff by looking at my BC gave me an instruction that I can make a request of the copy in the city where I was born.
A few days after, I went to the Navotas City Hall to finally make a formal request but the municipality staff told me upon looking at my BC that the copy I was asking will be available in other City Hall.
Because my case wasn't an isolated one, the staff informed me that there was a "misconception" thinking that those people who has the information typed in their BC, especially those who was born in the Tondo General Hospital, their BC's copy was not in Navotas City Hall instead I can make a request of that copy in the Manila City Hall.
MANILA CITY HALL VISIT
From the information section of the Manila City hall, from asking what to do first, I was given an application form for "birth certificate application".
There it was clearly stated information, I need to fill-up like that of the name of the person asking for a copy, the date of birth, and my parent's names.
Then the next thing I know, I was at the window 2 (Step 2) for the payment. So far, currently I paid for "P50.00" for the local transcription copy of my BC. Then I proceeded to window 3, (step 3) where they verified the request further more all the way to window 4 (step 4), where I asked and was told that I can claim it, the following day around 9:00 in the morning.
So, I came in before the said time, and it was ready!
AT THE MEGAMALL DFA SITE
I remember that I was told by one DFA staff from my last visit on the 20th of October that I will go straight at the STEP B: The processing area. But was once reminded by the guard that I need to have it checked again at the STEP A: Verification Area, for an update.
So, I went with the same line again, a bit longer but continuously moving.
Excited now moving on with the process that I was intentionally asked to stop, the last time I made a visit.
I gone straight moving up-front, but later on was told that there was a line that I have to go through.
From asking and looking, I have seen that there was really a line queue. So, here I patiently, waited a little longer. Like it was like I was playing a snake ladder, waiting for my turn to roll the dice and move next. But the thing is, the only sure movement was "one vacant seat" at a time.
Skipping the STEP C: Payment Area because I made an early appointment scheduled at their website and made payment in the authorized DFA kiosks.
STEP D: ENCODING AREA
It was a pretty small DFA site, but the location was maximized. The hallway going to the STEP D: ENCODING AREA has a guard waiting for people done with STEPS A, B, and C.
I gave the guard my application form and he wrote a big number on the side...I was number 180 applicants waiting!
Being the curious me, I asked the guard a question..."How long will it took me to finish the entire process?" The guard replied..."2 hours!"
I thought he was just sarcastic about giving me an answer. But I tried looking at the applicants waiting before me, quite many. That made me, validated guard's statement I think he's right.
But this is something I have to personally experience myself.
There's a specific courtesy lane devoted for some applicants especially the senior citizens, PWD's, and pregnant women too.
Here, you'll see several windows from numbers 18 to 28 but the serving windows at the time was only windows 19 to 25.
I was observing and I think the reason behind this was some DFA site encoder has to stop for their lunch breaks.
There was a microphone available at the back but was just an option at the time for the DFA staff to used for they were doing the same "traditional" roll call of the number of the applicants waiting.
Here applicants were instructed using a sign language where to specifically sit just before their time for the encoding of their personal information.
You would know that you are really in the Philippines seeing a very "Filipino Trait" a very resourceful one.
See this two-year old boy, who was about to have his picture taken but uses an "empty HP box" sometimes covered with a coupon bond, and the rest were really uncovered or raw.
They're using this as an improvised high-chair for the children.
THE FINAL STAGE
So, I waited before I came in the number was just at 109 applicants...I was an applicant 180.
Since, there was so many applicants waiting and that I waited longer, I can't remember how many sit positions I made.
At the data encoding and capturing area, there was a specific information posted that was suggesting an applicant to check if all personal information were encoded properly. This was to ensure if all information are true and correct.
Information such as your name, surname, middle initial, date of birth and the citizenship were encoded correctly, ensuring a "no typographical error/s" if any.
Here, you'll also see a written reminder notice on how to properly smile..."SMILE BUT NO TEETH" showed.
Here, I also took the opportunity and asked question re: "INDICATIVE RELEASE DATE"
Because there was a disclosure which states...DELAY MAY HAPPEN/DON'T BOOK FLIGHT/BRING ORIGINAL RECEIPT". Because if there are instances that delay might happen, when is the best time to claim it?
The DFA staff was very polite and responded friendly..."You may claim it Sir to be sure after the last date specified or claim it during Saturday, because we are also open that day."
The whole process took me an hour and 32 minutes!
AT THE PASSPORT RECEIVING AREA
I chose to claim it on the 9th of November.
I don't know I think that have an intuition that this was the so called the "perfect timing".
I was instructed by the lady guard on-duty to place the receipt at the "WINDOW 3/FOLDED".
I thought I would render longer time again waiting, but after like 5-10 minutes my name was called and was asked to go to "WINDOW 5" for jot down my complete name, put my signature and my passport number...after that I was ready to go!
So now, from "GREEN to MAROON" passport...READY TO TRAVEL!
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Last 20th of October, I also made a blog regarding a previously experience unsuccessful passport renewal application process I've been through. This particular blog was just a continuation of the so- called challenge and journey!
