DFA exec: More passport appointment slots available in coming weeks

An official of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Saturday assured prospective applicants that more passport appointment slots will be available in the coming weeks, after COVID-19 restrictions in Metro Manila and other areas shifted to Alert Level 1.

DFA Assistant Secretary of the Office of Consular Affairs (OCA) Senen Mangalile said the department offered more than 13,000 passport appointment slots daily during the pre-pandemic period.

However, it decreased to 6,000 a day due to COVID-19 restrictions, including strict observance of social distancing and health protocols in DFA offices.

“Noong nagsimula na ang bakunahan at lumakas na uli ang loob ng mga tao na lumabas, naramdaman po namin yung unti-unting pagakyat ng demand for passport appointments,” Mangalile said in an interview on Super Radyo dzBB.

(When vaccination against COVID-19 began [in March 2021], and people's confidence in going out was restored, we noticed a gradual increase in demand for passport appointments.)

Mangalile said they currently offer 10,000 passports a day since January, adding that they are seeing an increase this month after several areas were placed under Alert Level 1.

“Dadami po yung ating appointment slots in the next couple of weeks. Ang target natin, by April, back to pre-pandemic levels kung ano po yung level ng number of appointment na 13,000 plus a day na baka madagdagan pa po,” he said.

“Sapagkat nung naramdaman namin noong July 2021 masyadong mataas na demand for passport appointments nagbukas po kami ng temporary offsite passport servicing sites. Mayroong 13 po sa iba’t ibang panig ng Metro Manila and other provinces dadagdagan pa po namin ng seven para maging 20 so madadagdagan po yung bilang ng appointments na magiging available sa ating mga kababayan,” he added.

(In July 2021, we saw the demand for passport appointments was too high, we opened temporary offsite passport servicing sites. There are 13 in different parts of Metro Manila and other provinces. We will add seven more to make it 20 so that the number of appointments that would be made available will be increased.)

The National Capital Region (NCR) and several other areas in the country were placed under Alert Level 1, from March 1 to 15, 2022.

Under Alert Level 1, intrazonal and interzonal travel shall be allowed without regard to age and comorbidities. All establishments, persons, or activities, are allowed to operate, work, or be undertaken at full on-site or venue/seating capacity provided it is consistent with minimum public health standards. —LBG, GMA News