DFA opens more passport appointment slots

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) will open thousands of new passport appointment slots this week following the opening of its ePayment portal on Thursday.

The ePayment Portal requires passport applicants to prepay the processing fees through selected payment centers, thus increasing the capacity of the department to receive and process passport applications.

“Not only will this new payment system be convenient since applicants can pay the fees anywhere, anytime; it will also help us maximize the capacity of our consular offices,” Foreign Affairs Secretary Cayetano said.

Because of the new payment system, the DFA would be able to open up new slots for passport application on top of the 336,743 slot for June 1 to September 30.

Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said the department opened 50,000 slots at 12 noon and another 50,000 slots at 9 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2018. On June 15, 10,000 appointment slots will also be opened.

“Henceforth, we will open 10,000 slots Monday to Saturday except holidays,” Cayetano added.

Passport processing fee costs P950 for regular (20 working days) and P1,200 for express (10 working days) plus additional P50 ePayment service fee.

Initially, ePayment is accepted in selected payment centers namely Bayad Center; EcPay; Pera Hub; Robinsons Business Center and Department Store; Walter Mart Department Store; 7-Eleven; USCC Western Union; and Villarica Pawnshop.

The DFA processes an average of 19,000 applications per day.