My experience in applying for a Passport in Baguio is very unforgettable.... For the reason that I have been going in and out for many times... maybe 3-4 times.... But I probably wouldn't blame everything on the system or procedures of VFA... But maybe they could have a better system for that matter.
Let me first tell my story.. I and my father, who just turned senior citizen, tried to apply for passport. I have searched requirements of application in the internet and therefore made ready for the requirements. The process in VFA Baguio, one must first take a number as a means of having an appointment. The problem with this.. it takes a long period of time to wait before you get to go in (e.g early in the morning you get a number which is scheduled in the afternoon.) This may be forgiveable... anyway, since my father is a senior citizen, he is given a priority lane. Therefore I on the other hand had to wait for my given schedule. When my father went in: first process, someone checks the requirements of my father if it's complete. My father was asked to get a voter's certificate in the Comelec. With this reason, my father have to go back later on (I believe this problem would be reduced if their details of requirement is consistent in the internet and on the branches.)
When we came back in the afternoon, we then went in together as it was my schedule and he had the privilege as a priority. But when, I gave my requirements, they checked my name and found out I was enlisted as a DOST Scholar (Now this is another problem I should have dealt with long time ago.. maybe 10-15 years ago). I wasn't supposed to be a DOST scholar since I have not pursued my scholarship and with so many tedious process & requirements of DOST last 15 years, it wasn't very encouraging. I thought it was fixed before having not been reported to the DOST office, but alas!!! I was still enlisted and wasn't cleared of my name. Due to this problem I had to clear my name which again... had so many process and "etche bureche" things... frustrating indeed!!!
My father on the other hand, was able to pass the first process... but when he went on the next stage of processing, another person checks his documents if it was valid, etc... Alas! my Father's Marriage Certificate from the NSO had a problem, my grand father's name wasn't clear on the certificate of NSO (This I believe again could be fixed if at first process, they would have already checked it... secondly, it gives me NSO a very bad rating, being a required document in many transactions "how could it stand if details on the NSO documents are unclear?"). So they asked if there are other documents to make clear or support my father's document. My father had to take his old birth certificate with a clear name of his father, my grandfather. So he had to go back home again... Whereas I had to be busy clearing my name in DOST...
After my father took his birth certificate, he and my mother went back... and so all was good and was scheduled to get his passport after few weeks.
I on the other hand had to wait for 2 weeks to clear my name. By the way, I would advice to those who would apply for the first time to make sure of their requirements are complete... It would have also helped if the security guards know or understand the process of applying and the requirements.. or there should really be a clear instruction of requirements to take and what should be noted for on these requirements to give first time applicants not a very tedious process.
So after clearing my name, I had to go back and get a number again for appointment in the morning which I was scheduled in the afternoon. Then coming back in the afternoon, alas! my name is cleared then was passed on the next processing... Alas!!! My problem now is my NSO Birth Certificate... my father's name is unclear or can't be read clearly.... Argh!!! I was advised to get my certified true copy of BC at the Local Civil Registrar. I had one at home, but it was old... so I thought I could use it... therefore I had to postpone my schedule on the next day since time was not on my side.... When I went back the other day... I was then advised to get a new one.... So I had to go to the Local Civil Registrar... then again had to wait... The people there seem to be even have no plans in giving me ASAP... but still asked me if I wanted to wait... anyway, there were not much people around. (Here I'm so disappointed with government systems and procedures, how can asking for documents and others be so tedious and troublesome... ONLY IN THE PHILIPPINES? but I wish these things would change....)
The good thing, I was able to get my Certified True Copy of BC about 4-5pm.. and I was allowed to directly go to the one who was processing my paper in the DFA... and to find out... I had supposed to be having a problem with my NSO Birth Certificate not being consistent on the record number with the Local Civil Registrar... ouch! Good thing, the Registrar gave a certificate on the change made... So still was able to go in and was scheduled to get a passport. Whew!
That's for my Application for Passport... but still I had to wait again for my NSO Birth Certificate to be amended or changed after 2-3 months, as I had to gave a copy of what the Registrar gave..
Well, that's my unforgettable experience on applying my passport for the first time!!!! Hope this gives a warning to new applicants for passport and probably give a glimpse of how tedious securing documents from government offices.....
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