
Saab Magalona took to Twitter to share her experience of trying to get a passport for her son Pancho.
Her confusion stemmed from the use of the 'courtesy lane' of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA).
According to Saab, as her son less than a year old, she processed his passport via the courtesy lane. She was then asked to pay the expedited processing fee which is P1200 instead of the regular processing fee which is P950.
She also called out some of the DFA consular offices who do not follow the government's 'no lunch break policy.'
Read the thread of hew tweets below:
Is it true that if the passport applicant is a minor, required na expedited processing fee (1200) instead of regular processing fee (950) ang bayaran? I asked where that rule is stated and they said “sabi ng mga nasa itaas”
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 17, 2018
Yes that’s what I said. I said I’m not in a hurry to get his passport. Guy said bec priority lane daw and hindi scheduled, 1200 ang processing fee?? @DFAPHL so PWDs have to pay more? https://t.co/IPIoEXZHYF
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 17, 2018
Can anybody pls help me understand... I went to DFA Megamall yday to get Pancho (less than 1year old) a passport. I didn’t need to renew mine. I was told I had no choice but to pay 1200 for expedited processing even if I wanted to just pay 950 for regular processing. pic.twitter.com/LtFnxCE5Xd
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
Don’t I fall under “solo parent and their minor children?” Ang gulo kasi ng wording ng tweets ng @DFAPHL — they are conflicting. Some can say “it’s *just* 250 extra pesos” but it’s the principle and the thought of people getting tricked into paying more than they should.
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
By the way I got to DFA Megamall at 12nn yday and the guard gave me a stub that said “2PM” tapos balik nalang daw ako kasi next slot is 2PM na. “Ikot na muna kayo sa mall.” I said “Ummmm can I talk to someone in charge?” Lunch breaks are not allowed.
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
They finally let me in when I started questioning them and they made me feel as if I owe it to them for accommodating me kahit na dapat 2pm pa ako. “Kahit mga naka-wheelchair po, 2pm na namin pinabalik.”
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
True enough, nobody was manning the courtesy lane. When I went inside, NOBODY WAS SEATED AT THE PRIORITY LANE SECTION. Pinaghihintay nila ang mga PWDs, senior citizens, pregnant, and minors? Why? They denied lunch break but what other explanation is there? pic.twitter.com/vlvZeJe5Sp
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
BTW Govt offices were suspended in the afternoon yesterday. If I had waited like they said, I wouldn’t have been able to get my son’s passport.
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
Ok thanks for clarifying, I thought it meant solo as in 1 companion of a minor. Anyway, I still personally think it’s strange that an infant is not entitled to use the courtesy lane but oh well maybe it’s just me!?????????? https://t.co/VSrq3d1VOT
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
Now I hope you can address the “cut off” time of DFA MEGAMALL for courtesy lane that I experienced yesterday.
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
Hmmm... @DFAPHL maybe change the wording if you say minors are not entitled to use the courtesy lane????? https://t.co/NVmUG6xC8s
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
.@DFAPHL: “Minors (7YO & below) are entitled to use the courtesy lane”
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
Me: “Oh ok cool, here’s 950 for regular processing fee”
DFA: “No, has to be 1200 bec they are not entitled to it”
Me: “But you said—”
DFA: “THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO IT” pic.twitter.com/cHbikbIjKS
Hi @DFAPHL!???????? https://t.co/qlq3tiCp9v
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
Hi @DFAPHL! Actually, minors and their parents are really entitled to use courtesy lane so wag ka mahiya na inaccommodate ka rin, Paulo ?? https://t.co/280AewouQ3
— Saab (@saabmagalona) July 18, 2018
Hi, Saab. We had our passports done on June 22. Still, I was asked to choose the option. Perhaps, the employee at DFA Pampanga is yet to know this new rule of yours, DFA? pic.twitter.com/ImjZpqxODf
— KarenYouRFan (@RogerThat1782) July 18, 2018