DFA to issue new guidelines for passport processing of travel agencies

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday said it will release new guidelines next week on the accreditation of regional travel agencies that facilitate passport services. In a news release, DFA Undersecretary Rafael Seguis said the new guidelines are the result of a review of the May 2, 2012 directive of the DFA on the accreditation of travel agencies in the regions.

 

On its May 2 directive, the DFA instructed its consular offices nationwide to stop accrediting by June 30 this year travel agencies offering passport services. The DFA also ordered the removal of the special privileges enjoyed by accredited agencies such as guaranteed slots and express processing for their clients.

 

"The directive was issued simply to ensure that all passport applicants, regardless of their social status, get to experience the same privileges but at no additional cost to them," Seguis said. "This is our own way of implementing the 'No Wang-Wang' policy of the President." Despite the improved services, the DFA said passport processing fees will remain at P950 for regular processing and P1200 for expedited processing.   

"We in the Department of Foreign Affairs have been working hard to fulfill our commitment to deliver fast and efficient services to as many of our people as possible," Seguis said. "The new guidelines we will issue are in line with this commitment."

Seguis said the new guidelines will complement the steps undertaken by the DFA to improve its services such as the transfer of its consular offices to shopping malls in Metro Manila and in other parts of the country.

 

"Our people can look forward to better services once we transfer our consular offices to their new locations inside shopping malls in the next several months," Seguis said, adding that these new offices will follow mall operating hours and will be open from Mondays to Sundays.

 

The DFA said the guidelines also took into account the appeals for reconsideration of the directive made by the Philippine Travel Agency Association, the Philippine IATA Agents Travel Association, the National Association of Independent Travel Agencies and other stakeholders. - VVP, GMA News