By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), which was earlier under scrutiny after appointments with the government agency, a requirement when applying for a new passport or renewal, were fully booked through this month, urged the public not to patronize fixers, who were found to be providing appointments for a fee.

“Scheduling an appointment online is completely free,” affirmed Office of Consular Affairs Passport Division Acting Director Ricarte Abejuela III. “Applicants should just be prompt and alert because, the demand is so high, we run out of slots very fast.”

According to police reports, 23 fixers have been apprehended throughout Metro Manila after they were caught selling appointment slots.

Law enforcement had been monitoring various DFA branches since mid-February.

Earlier this year, DFA employees were accused of intentionally blocking schedules for the online appointment process after being paid by local travel agencies, who then charge customers P4,500 to P5,000 for “passport assistance.”

DFA Undersecretary Jose Luis Montales later admitted some government employees had been selling endorsements for passport appointments, which allows applicants to use the courtesy lane when applying for passports.

Following the initial controversy, the DFA opened 100,000 new appointment slots for passport applications and renewals between February and May./PLL, WDJ