Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano announced in a press conference at the DFA Aseana Parañaque on Tuesday, January 12 that the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will open 100,000 new online passport appointments on Thursday, June 14.
According to a report by, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Cayetano says 50,000 online appointment slots will be opened at 12 p.m. and another 50,000 slots by 9 p.m. Scheduled appointments for these slots will be from Monday to Saturday except for holidays.
100,000 DFA Appointments open
The DFA addressed the problem on online passport appointments after enraged Filipinos and netizens called out their scheduling system.
Alleged syndicates who hoard appointment schedules who sell them as high as P 10,000 were somehow involved in this matter. While the DFA denies this claim, Cayetano addressed that this alleged syndicates may be using a software to do tasks and make the reservations. The DFA also has already tapped the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) to look into the alleged existence of this syndicates.
Cayetano also said he will ask assistance from the Philippine National Police to help in going after the syndicates.
He also added,“I’d just like to give a warning to any syndicate- real or imagined- mga sindikato na nagpaplano pa lang o yung mga nanloloko sa Facebook o yung mga actual na nagchacharge ng 5,10,000 for passports. We are going after you.”
According to Rappler, a check on the passport appointment website showed that there were no more passport appointment slots in Metro Manila as of 2:50 pm. There were no available slots either in other parts of the country except for Baguio and Lucena. There were slots available past 2:50 pm but quickly disappeared.
The DFA is seeking out to launch their new and updated online renewal system by 2019.
There is no escape from doing this, so here are the steps on how to apply for a Philippine Passport:
Secure your Appointment online
Patience is a virtue, and consistency is the key. You need to have a working email address in order to avail a slot. The appointment system will send you your appointment details through email. Go to www.passport.gov.ph/appointment to schedule your appointment.
Prepare your required documents
You need to bring your Printed application form, Birth Certificate issued by the PSA, At least 1 valid identification document (SSS ID, GSIS e-card, Driver’s License, Senior Citizen’s ID), at least 2 supporting documents issued one year prior to application (Marriage contract, NBI Clearance, Police Clearance, Barangay Clearance, Postal ID).
Show up for your appointment
Make sure to be 30 mins early prior to your scheduled appointment time. Once you get in, you will go through document checking, followed by biometrics information, then your digital signature and photo.
After this get done, you pay for the passport fee of 950 pesos for regular processing that would take 20 days or 1,200 pesos for express processing for only 10 days. Online payment is also applicable.
People who are exempted from going through the appointment system are the following: Senior Citizen, Person with Disability (PWDs), Solo Parent, Pregnant Women, Minors- below seven years old and accompanied by a parent or guardian.
With the new DFA appointment slots now open, make sure you schedule yours while they are still available.