DFA passport application woes continue online as netizens complain over hiccups in appointment schedules
Filipinos have been posting on the Department of Foreign Affairs' (DFA) social media pages with inquiries and complaints about their passport applications.
Many users are saying that they aren't receiving confirmation emails for their appointments as their scheduled date draws near. These Filipinos have reportedly already paid for their slots, emailed the consular office, called the hotline, and messaged the DFA on Facebook and Twitter to no avail.
I booked and paid on Nov13th but its already 3 days passed still no confirmation of appointment. Before encouraging people to use the online platform/pay in advance, make sure kaya ng server nyo at may taong nag aasikaso… wala pagbabago gobyerno! Kaurat!
— Erick De Ocampo (@edeocampo24) November 16, 2021
Some of them have missed their appointments entirely because of the missing confirmation form. Those who tried to go to the sites were turned away and told to wait for the appointment code.
Applicants are also experiencing hiccups with the payment section. A couple of Twitter users said they weren't able to pay for their appointment because the server was crashing. When they try to book a slot again, the website tells them they already have an existing appointment. They also haven't received any confirmation emails or codes from the DFA.
DFA should check their passport renewal page. Nasa payment section ka na pero di na gumagalaw ang page. Tapos when I tried to book an appointment again, sabi an appointment already exists. Ibig sabihin ok na yon? No confirmation email yet until today.
— Tom (@MATom_MD) November 12, 2021
Anyone else having trouble with the payment section of DFA Passport application/renewal? ? literally the last step and the drop down options JUST WONT WORK naiiyak na ako pls I need to have my passport renewed
— andrés (@thegrandpianist) November 11, 2021
What about those who weren’t able to make the payment since the server suddenly crashed. It says I have an appointment and is asking me to cancel the previous appt that your system detected. A code is needed to cancel -of which I didn’t receive. What do i do then?
— CJ. ♡ (@ccjoyddd) November 16, 2021
The DFA Office of Consular Affairs has issued an apology to the passport applicants, saying they are "working to resolve the issues on the booking of passport appointments, and applicants' non-receipt of confirmation emails."
“The delay in the transmission of confirmation emails is likely caused by the overloading of servers, compounded by the late remittance of payments made through the over-the-counter payment mode,” it said.
Those scheduled from the week of Nov. 21 are asked to wait for their confirmation emails for at least two days. If there's still no email, they can follow up at [email protected].
Meanwhile, those who missed their appointment dates are called to coordinate with the consular office for a new schedule.
“Please note that only booked appointments that were successfully paid online will be confirmed and shall receive the application packets. If no proof of payment and/or payment reference code was received, this means that there is no confirmed appointment,” the DFA said.