DFA looks into alleged passport syndicate

THE Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) is now exhausting all means to address the backlogs in passport applications and look into the rumored syndicate purportedly in cahoots with its personnel, Malacañang said on Tuesday, January 16.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque Jr. gave assurance that the Palace would relay the public’s concerns to the DFA regarding the slow processing of requests for passport appointment.

Admitting the loopholes in the DFA’s new appointment system, Roque said the government would double its efforts to ensure a “quicker” appointments and “faster” issuance of passports.

“I will inform Secretary (Alan Peter) Cayetano because it is overwhelming when it comes to requests for courtesy lanes. It’s only but proper to sit down with them and relay to them what the people, through the media, have been demanding, which is quicker and faster passport issuances,” he told Palace reporters.

“But the DFA is on top of the situation. It is investigating possible syndicates [involving DFA personnel and travel agencies that sell costly passports]. It would prosecute syndicates and it is coming up with ways and means to facilitate the process,” he added.

The DFA has come under fire following its failure to accommodate individuals who are seeking passport appointments through online application on its official website.

Applicants, including overseas Filipino workers who are renewing their passports, have experienced difficulties in securing slots to get appointments.

Many have complained that the schedule is full until March. Some have alleged that a “syndicate” was selling passport appointment schedules at exorbitant prices.

Cayetano downplayed the existence of such syndicate but did not dismiss the possibility that there are fixers who may be in contact with some DFA personnel.

Roque earlier revealed the DFA’s plan to improve the agency’s passport system for public convenience.

He cited that the DFA was eyeing streamlining the passport application process; implementing an improved and more user-friendly Online Application System; adding passport appointment slots and consular offices outside Metro Manila; setting up an e-Payment system; making an OFW lanes available, among others.

Roque also said that the Foreign Affairs department wanted to reduce the automated fingerprint identification system backlog from 33,000 to zero, deploy Passporting on Wheels vehicles beginning this month, and deploy weekly Mobile Passporting Services in key locations nationwide. (SunStar Philippines)

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