THE Department of Foreign Affairs yesterday said it is working on a backlog of three million applications for new and renewal of passports despite the restrictions imposed due to the pandemic.
DFA Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Concerns Brigido Dulay Jr. said the agency has opened more off-site centers to cater to the public but added the COVID-related restrictions pose a big challenge because the department had to cut operations to comply with minimum health and safety protocols.
“We estimate the backlog at three million. There are so many. The demand has outstripped the supply and that is our number one problem,” Dulay said in a radio interview.
“The biggest challenge is really the COVID-19 pandemic. We have to comply with minimum public health standards. You cannot make all the people go pack the place because social distancing is required,” Dulay added.
Last month, the DFA said 177,500 additional passport appointment slots will be made available to the public to address the high demand for passport application.
Dulay said these additional slots are available in five new special off-site locations in the National Capital Region, namely, the SM Mall of Asia, SM City North Edsa, SM Aura, Robinsons Place Magnolia and Robinsons Place Las Pinas.
The DFA, according to Dulay, will also open similar sites in other regions “with a significant demand” for passport appointments.
He said the DFA is also eyeing to open sites to cater exclusively to overseas Filipino workers and those who are renewing their passports to speed up the process.
“The three million backlog is what we are working on, and the challenge really is how can we catch up at a time of the pandemic,” Dulay explained.
He could not explain the surge in passport applications amid the pandemic, adding DFA cannot discourage the public from doing so.
However, he appealed to the public that if is not urgent, they should consider deferring applying for a passport and let OFWs, those with medical concerns, and those with family reunifications to avail of the service first.
Dulay also appealed to the public to avoid patronizing groups or individuals selling passport appointment slots or offering appointment-setting assistance for a fee.
