To start off the whole experience, I give you this... from 12:30PM to 5:30PM on a gloomy and humid Thursday afternoon. I hope you get the idea.
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I waited two months to get that appointment schedule. I didn't know what to expect. I refrained from reading personal accounts of people who applied and renewed their passports using the new system. Seeing that the waiting area is filled to the brim is quite a depressing start for us. We queued outside the official waiting area as we waited for the place to be less crowded. Since it was already Javi's nap time, he was getting groggy in his stroller. Salamat naman he didn't throw a tantrum. By the time we entered, he was already fast asleep. He didn't fuss over the heat also. Good kid.
Once we're allowed to enter, we were given a number. Looking at the number we got, we're up for a loooooong wait. 150 pa before us. It's a good thing that they didn't give us separate numbers for renewal and new application. Vic's passport and mine are up for a renewal. We're applying Javi's for the first time. Buti na lang malakas yun A/C. Then we soon discovered, may WiFi!
The first number is for the checking of documents alone. While waiting for our turn, I asked myself why are there only 5 open windows serving this many people.....
... what is the purpose of setting an appointment, if you're just going to fall in line again and wait?
... can they process all these applications in one day?
A number is being called to the counter nearly every minute. We waited an hour and a half just to check if we our requirements are complete and if all forms are properly filled up.
After this, we proceeded to the 2nd floor to pay for the processing fee, for the picture-taking and data encoding. Jusko, isa pang pila. Once again, we had to wait for two hours till our number was called.
By this time, Javi had woken up from his afternoon nap. We settled in the chairs by the elevator. The area is less crowded and was cool enough because of the unobstructed A/C. There, Javi and I played, doodled, people-watched. Who would have thought that we get to spend uninterrupted quality time with each other there in the DFA?
When our number was called, I thought,"Jusko, we're almost finished." We could finally eat then go home. BUT, the kid isn't cooperating. He didn't want to have his picture taken. Okay, si Daddy muna then Javi. Ayaw pa din. Okay, si Mama muna.
Takot pa naman sa bagong mukha itong mga anak ko, lalo na si Javi. The stranger gave him Elmo in an attempt to be friendly. Javi didn't budge. The stranger got a female staffer to take Javi's picture. With the help of Jollibee, we got a shot of Javi. May trickle nga lang ng sipon (konti lang naman), pero that was all we could get. Sabi nga ni Vic, "Sorry na lang anak. You have to live with that for 5 years."
Our calvary ended there. As we made our way to S&R, which is right beside the DFA office, rain started to pour. Vic and I pigged out on pizza, limitless Coke Zero while Javi had his fries.
I don't want to go back there again. I hope they find a way to speed up the process. It is such a waste of time.
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I waited two months to get that appointment schedule. I didn't know what to expect. I refrained from reading personal accounts of people who applied and renewed their passports using the new system. Seeing that the waiting area is filled to the brim is quite a depressing start for us. We queued outside the official waiting area as we waited for the place to be less crowded. Since it was already Javi's nap time, he was getting groggy in his stroller. Salamat naman he didn't throw a tantrum. By the time we entered, he was already fast asleep. He didn't fuss over the heat also. Good kid.
Once we're allowed to enter, we were given a number. Looking at the number we got, we're up for a loooooong wait. 150 pa before us. It's a good thing that they didn't give us separate numbers for renewal and new application. Vic's passport and mine are up for a renewal. We're applying Javi's for the first time. Buti na lang malakas yun A/C. Then we soon discovered, may WiFi!
The first number is for the checking of documents alone. While waiting for our turn, I asked myself why are there only 5 open windows serving this many people.....
... what is the purpose of setting an appointment, if you're just going to fall in line again and wait?... can they process all these applications in one day?
A number is being called to the counter nearly every minute. We waited an hour and a half just to check if we our requirements are complete and if all forms are properly filled up.
After this, we proceeded to the 2nd floor to pay for the processing fee, for the picture-taking and data encoding. Jusko, isa pang pila. Once again, we had to wait for two hours till our number was called.
By this time, Javi had woken up from his afternoon nap. We settled in the chairs by the elevator. The area is less crowded and was cool enough because of the unobstructed A/C. There, Javi and I played, doodled, people-watched. Who would have thought that we get to spend uninterrupted quality time with each other there in the DFA?
When our number was called, I thought,"Jusko, we're almost finished." We could finally eat then go home. BUT, the kid isn't cooperating. He didn't want to have his picture taken. Okay, si Daddy muna then Javi. Ayaw pa din. Okay, si Mama muna.
Takot pa naman sa bagong mukha itong mga anak ko, lalo na si Javi. The stranger gave him Elmo in an attempt to be friendly. Javi didn't budge. The stranger got a female staffer to take Javi's picture. With the help of Jollibee, we got a shot of Javi. May trickle nga lang ng sipon (konti lang naman), pero that was all we could get. Sabi nga ni Vic, "Sorry na lang anak. You have to live with that for 5 years."
Our calvary ended there. As we made our way to S&R, which is right beside the DFA office, rain started to pour. Vic and I pigged out on pizza, limitless Coke Zero while Javi had his fries.
I don't want to go back there again. I hope they find a way to speed up the process. It is such a waste of time.
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