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.
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