The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) released a public advisory yesterday indicating appointments for passport applications from July 2018 onwards are not yet open due to the implementation of enhancements to the online system.

According to the release, the agency plans to add an ePayment system, allowing applicants to make necessary payments with their payment facility of choice.

The DFA said slots will open once ePayment is officially launched, following pilot tests, which they said are ongoing.

The agency had been under fire earlier this year after it was revealed appointments, a requirement when applying for a new passport or renewal, were fully booked through March 2018.

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./WDJ