DFA Adds Data Capture Machines to Speed Up Passport Application Processing

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) added fifteen (15) data capture machines to speed up the passport application processing in its consular office at ASEANA complex.

Department of Foreign Affairs Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano

“We’ve added 15 machines for data capture. We can now process 1,000 passports more a day.” Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano said as he visited DFA-ASEANA Consular office to inspect the newly installed workstations, two weeks after he assumed office.

He cited that the provision of additional machines is expected to increase the “acceptance” capacity of the ASEANA Consular Office by 30%.

 

“Mas dadagdagan na namin ang appointments. Hopefully, rather than 3 months, maibababa natin initially to two months or less pa”.  Cayetano said.

(We can increase the number of appointments. Hopefully rather than three months wait, we can lessen it to two months or even less).

Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano laid down other innovative schemes to make the passport application and processing faster, more convenient and more efficient.

The DFA chief announced the Department’s plan to extend the working hours at the Consular Office in ASEANA to accommodate more applicants by introducing a morning and night shift system. 

“We are planning to recruit 40 additional personnel as part of this new work-shift system,” he added.

Apart from these “quick intervention” measures, the DFA is seriously considering the opening of more consular offices in other provinces to decongest the bulk of the applicants being serviced in the DFA-ASEANA complex.

Secretary Cayetano cited that the DFA requested for the creation of new positions from the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) to hire additional personnel for the plan to add manpower in the regional consular offices.

The DFA in its effort to make the passport application process more convenient and comfortable put up a covered tent with chairs, electric fans, water station and a TV for the public in its consular office in ASEANA Complex. An electronic queuing system with monitors was also installed to guide the clients on the processes and to avoid confusion among them.