My passport was about to expire on July 2016, so on April 2016 I was confident that I have a lot of time to renew my passport. But to my disappointment, the earliest booking I can get via the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) online booking system was 3 months after! All DFA NCR (National Capitol Region) offices are fully booked!
I searched for nearby provincial offices. I called DFA Lipa, Batangas but I was informed that they only accommodate Region IV residents at the moment due to the high demand. I found blogs about applying at the DFA Clark, Pampanga at the Marquee mall and sent them an email. The returned and the earliest schedule they can give me is 3 weeks later than what I can get at DFA NCR. Finally, I called DFA Robinsons Pampanga and I was instructed to send them an email, they scheduled me on June 10. A month earlier than the rest of the offices!
How to schedule an appointment via email
Send an email to rco3pampanga@gmail.com with the following details:
First Name:
Middle Name:
Last Name:
Address:
I also attached a scanned copy of my passport but this doesn’t seem to be a requirement. I sent them an email on May 3 and they returned to me on May 9 for a June 10 schedule at 3pm to 4pm.
How to get there from Manila and back
From Cubao, I took the Bataan Transit located at the Five Star Lines Terminal. There are also other buses such us Victory, Genesis, Saulog, First North Luzon and even FX vans but this was the recommended bus line from the Pampangueño Uber driver I got that day. Lucky me! I was supposed to go to Baliwag Transit and search for an FX there, he said I’ll not be taken directly to Robinsons Mall if I take that. The bus was about to depart when I got there and I was one of the last few passengers. There’s no schedule as to what time it will leave.
The travel time was 2 hours from Cubao. That was on a Friday noon, give it more time if you are going there on a rush hour. We were dropped off in front of Robinsons mall so you won’t get lost.
The bus terminal was at the back of the mall but those going back to Cubao will wait there until 6 to 7pm. There are still buses going back to Manila until 10pm but you have to wait at Mini Stop in front of the mall (there are 2 Mini Stop shops, it’s not the Mini Stop at the terminal). I went home at 9pm and only took me an hour to get to Cubao!
Make sure you have all necessary requirements found on the official DFA website, and print the email from DFA. Have these photocopied, there’s also a photocopier inside the office at 3 pesos per page.
The office is located the 2nd floor of the mall. It is easy to spot because you will see people queuing and it’s alongside the SSS, LTO and other government satellite offices. Quite a busy area.
I went there 1.5 hours early and the guard accommodated me and gave me an Application Form. He instructed me to seat the last row of seat while filling out the form. A guard then calls out those with 2 to 3pm schedule. After about 30 minutes, the guard collected our forms and printed email schedule. I was included ahead of my appointed time. You will go through 3 sections: Processing, Payment and Encoding.
PROCESSING
Our seat row was called to get in the Processing queue and there we wait for our names to be called. They gave back our forms which are now numbered and stamped with the word “Verified”. So make sure you fill out the form correctly and sign it. We were also instructed to write the amount, whether it’s Regular or Overtime, at the top of the form. Just write the amount you’ll pay:
Php 950 for 10 working days (Regular)
Php 1200 for 20 working days (Overtime)
We were called per batch of 10 to line up in front of the Processing windows. I think it was almost 3pm when my number was called so it was good that I was there an hour early. There’s a TV screen where they will flash your number and which counter you should go to so pay attention to that. The guards are assisting in giving clear instructions so that was really helpful.
At the counter, provide your passport, original valid ID, application form and photocopied documents. See the official DFA website for the list of requirements (do not forget to retrieve your passport and original ID). The officer will ask you if they can cancel (meaning punch holes) on your passport to void it. If you are going to pick it up then they can cancel on the pickup day, but if you are to have it mailed then they will cancel the passport on that day. Make sure you don’t have scheduled international trips within the next 1 to 2 months. The officer gave a disclaimer of a possible delay! I had it voided so I can have it delivered to Manila.
The officer will give you back your passport, ID, form (now stapled with your documents), and a receipt. The next step is proceed to the Cashier.
PAYING
The waiting time at the cashier was a breeze! Just provide them the forms and receipt. No need for your passport and ID so you can keep them at this point.
ENCODING
The final window is Encoding. There are chairs for you to wait so this is the time for you to freshen up because it’s passport selfie time! The guard instructed to remove earrings, colored contact lens and if you have full bangs clip it up. Your ears, forehead and s must be visible in the photo. At the encoding window, they will let you check if the information they have entered are correct, so CHECK on spelling and dates! They will just return a receipt once you’re done. It took me 2.5 hours from the time I was given the application form.
Courier Services
If you want to have it delivered, there’s an LBC counter at the right side just before you exit the office. The rate is Php150 per passport. They informed me that estimated delivery time is 2 working days from the passport release date.
This was my personal experience at DFA Robinsons Pampanga. Have you also applied here and want to add something? Please feel free to post your comment below.
