DFA-Baguio tells clients: Bring genuine documents

 By Carlito C. Dar

BAGUIO CITY -- The Department of Foreign Affairs- Baguio Regional Consular Office urged those applying for passports to check their documents and bring legal and authenticated documents only.

DFA regional director Edgar Canta told a radio program of numerous cases of inconsistent and fraudulent documents in their daily transactions.

Canta said they can easily identify fake documents but, as much as possible wouldn’t want to file cases against such clients.

The documents he said, are automatically confiscated and double-checked with concerned agencies.

He added for passport requirements aside from an official government-issued identification (ID cards) and other supporting papers, applicants  must have  authentic  birth certificate, and marriage contract for married persons. 

“Our priority is the National Statistics Office-issued documents. If the document is authenticate and entries are clear, we do not require anymore the copy from the Office of the Civil Registrar,’ Canta  said.

Relative to NSO documents, Canta and NSO regional director Olivia Gulla maintain an open line in addressing passport requirements and related concerns.

Meantime, Canta reported with the  transfer of DFA – Baguio Regional Consular Office inside SM City,  it is now more convenient for their  clients.  “They can visit the mall while waiting for their turn or call time to go inside the DFA office for processing of their application.”

Canta though, called for more patience from their clients   while they are still waiting for equipment augmentation.

Currently, DFA Baguio  set  its  daily quota to 150  passport application processing per day, the maximum number of application they can process in a day with their present data capturing machines and other (processing) related equipment.

He also reminded the public that only their uniformed DFA guards who issue entry pass numbers (with the call time - on when  a client  will enter the DFA office).         Issuance starts 9 am in  Gate E2 (near the grocery) of SM.

Canta  said they do not make reservations and only accept  walk-in applications on  first-come, first=served basis scheme.