From Russia with log

I tried checking the available passport dates for SM Megamall and could not find available dates until October – fourm months from now! So I tried the other DFA processing centers away from Metro Manila: Angeles, Baguio, General Santos, Tacloban.

DFA Angeles had July openings; Tacloban had June dates immediately available from 8 a. m. If you were an applicant from Metro Tacloban to complete processing of delivery since it would have to be delivered from Leyte. the appointment system, reserving and buying blocks of appointment and sell the earlier appointment dates to applicants who need to travel soonest. The price goes up from the later to the earliest dates.

The most common victims? OFWs because they have approved contracts and visas that they need to use, otherwise, they could lose their jobs. Despite the signs in government offices warning applicants to stay leeches flourish on the blood of OFWs and millions of applicants. Obviously, warning signs are not enough. And the continued

- ently goes on under the noses of government watchdogs even as blood money goes under the table and overflows in the pockets or drawers of conniving employees.

APO Production Unit, was reported to have discovered and who has reserved up to 450 slots for passport applicants which they sell at P5,000 each for those in desperate need of travel documents.”

The amount goes up depending on the applicant’s need for an conniving government employees and official- protectors can earn more than P2.5 million by blocking passport application slots.

Walk in, don’t log on

Cayetano said he had “instructed his transition team and officials of the DFA passport division to prepare a memorandum containing reforms, when and how these will be implemented.”

In sum, what Cayetano wants is: the scuttling of the present appointment system, and for applicants to walk in to apply for passports; passports have to be delivered in a few days; use the postal service system to apply for passports, like in the US; more machines to produce passports with security features; more employees ( casual) to meet the increased demand from walk-in applicants; additional funds from the budget department; that his salary be used while waiting for funds from the budget department.

The DFA explains that a con for all applicants except for senior citizens, infants and minors below one year old, visibly pregnant women, and overseas Filipino workers (OFWs). OFWs must pres employment contract or OEC. is “easy!” How easy? The illustration (below) shows the easy “simple steps:” Section 6 of the Philippine Constitution guarantees the Filipino citizens “liberty of abode…and the right to travel.” Such right may be limited only “in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law.”

Are we to expect a memo soon – after Secretary Cayetano’s return from Russia? Now or not yet?

Maybe