Annoying DFA Experience

I went to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) this morning for passport renewal. To avoid any inconvenience, I decided to request for a scheduled appointment. I got a reply from DFA and I looked forward to getting my new passport. My schedule was 11am-12nn and was advised to proceed to Gate 2.

I was there 15 minutes earlier but when I arrived at Gate 2, the guard would not allow me to go inside and told me that it was already lunch break and there are no processing officers available. I informed the guard that I was on time for my scheduled appointment and I should be inside for my papers to be processed. The guard was adamant that I go back at 1pm when the processing officers are already back from their lunch break.

To stop any further arguments, I decided to wait until 1pm. I was quite unsatisfied by the guard’s remarks thus after a few minutes of waiting, I decided to ask another personnel. After I relayed the information to the personnel, I was then advised to go to Gate 3. I started to get annoyed. Why on earth did the first guard told me to wait there in Gate 2 when I am supposed to go to Gate 3?

I went to Gate 3. There was a long queue. When I got to the entrance, I asked the guard to confirm about the information that was given to me by the personnel. I really got very annoyed when I heard the guard say “Proceed to the covered court.” I almost lost my temper. One thing that I dislike is when I am being misinformed and treated like a pingpong ball. I snapped at the guard though telling him why are they not giving me the information that I need right away. I went to the covered court and a personnel attached a piece of paper on my passport application form with the instruction to go back to Gate 2 at 3pm-4pm. I was then told to go to window A and B. I went to window A and B. What I needed to do next was to proceed to Gate 2 by 3pm.

Since it was still past 12 noon, I decided to take my lunch first. I went back to DFA by 1pm. I was directed to wait on the benches on the covered court. The court was packed with people covering three-fourths of the court. I was glad I still got a seat. To further test the coordination of personnel in the DFA, I asked another employee on the court if it was okay to proceed to Gate 2 instead because most of the people waiting are for Gate 3. I was then told that Gate 2 is no longer available because the only way for applicants to get inside the DFA building is through Gate 3! Why on earth have I been led to believe TWICE that I can get inside the DFA through Gate 2?

Instead of getting annoyed further and losing my temper, I told myself to relax. I then decided that instead of going back to DFA to get my passport, I payed for the passport delivery service offered by one of the logistics company in the covered court. I later learned upon finishing the whole process that Gate 2 was actually the EXIT for all applicants.

I could say I was very unhappy with the experience I had with DFA. I hope that they will improve their service by keeping their personnel informed on everything they need to know so that any personnel can provide applicants with the right information immediately.

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Alfredo is a web designer, programmer and a search engine marketer from the Philippines. He is also an amateur photographer and loves to travel. He can be found on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. Questions? Send him an email.