Amid complaints regarding the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) online appointment process, claiming all dates between January and March 2018 have already been booked, Bacolod City Administrator John Orola yesterday vowed to bring the matter before DFA Secretary Alan Peter Cayetano.

He said he would also raise the issue with the local DFA office, along with Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia.

According to reports, walk-in applicants are barred by security from entering the Bacolod City DFA office as an appointment is required for passport renewals.

Meanwhile, one such complainant, who requested anonymity, claimed DFA employees are intentionally blocking schedules after being paid by local travel agencies, who charge customers P4,500 to P5,000 for “passport assistance.”

The source claims, when inquiring with travel agencies, most have available DFA appointment dates, despite the website claiming every day being booked through March 2018./DGB, WDJ