Long lines form outside DFA Aseana as Pinoys prepare to apply for jobs abroad

Long lines have formed outside the Deparment of Foreign Affairs - Office of Consular Affairs at the Aseana Business Park in Parañaque City as Filipinos seek to have their documents processed for application for jobs abroad.

Some of them who came from provinces have been in line for three days already as they have not made it to the daily cutoff, according to a report by Darlene Cay on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday.

They endured the heat during the day, and slept on cartons laid out on the sidewalk at night just so they would retain their place in line.

The lines have snaked from the DFA office on Macapagal Boulevard to Roxas Boulevard.

A woman said she traveled for 12 hours from Apayao to have her sister's documents based in Canada processed at the DFA. She has been in line for three days.

"Nag-open sila ng walk-in, hindi naman pala nila kaya i-accommodate. Kaya wala din. Nakakaiyak talaga, Ma'm. Grabe, Ma'm, as in nakakaiyak, lalo na 'yung mga galing sa probinsiya," she said.

(They opened slots for walk-in but they cannot accommodate everyone. So nothing. It is heartbreaking, especially for those who came from provinces.)

Overseas Filipino worker Myrna, who is from Cebu, said it is her third day camping out at DFA Aseana. She is hoping to have her documents processed so she can go back to her job in Saudi Arabia.

Some of those in line said they are running out of money for expenses. Others said they risk losing their place in line if they go to the restroom.

The Parañaque City government has responded, and together with the City Social Welfare Department and the Parañaque Police, they managed the queues and gave water and food. The police provided security and maintained peace and order.

DFA Acting Assistant Secretary Christian de Jesus admitted they cannot accommodate everyone immediately, but assured that they are continuously processing walk-in applicants.

"Hindi po natin kayang gawin na lahat nang pupunta ay maa-accommodate. Pero uulitin ko, ina-assure ko po ang lahat, na meron tayong continuous walk-in service. Kaya hindi kailangan na magdagsaan lahat dito ng isang bagsak," de Jesus said.

(We cannot accommodate immediately everyone who arrives here. But I repeat, and I assure everyone, that we have continuous walk-in service. So it is not necessary for everyone to arrive here all at the same time.)

At 7 a.m. Wednesday, the lines were still long in front of DFA Aseana, according to a separate report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.

Some of those who arrived at 1 a.m. thinking they will have a place in the front part of the lines found out that they arrived too late. 

The DFA then issued an advisory past 7 a.m. saying it is temporarily suspending apostille services on Wednesday, March 23, since it has already reached the number of applications it can process within the day.

It also advised applicants to consider going to other DFA offices for the processing their documents.

—KG, GMA News