By Paulo Loreto Lim

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) posted a notice online to inform the public that passport appointments, a requirement when applying for a new passport or renewal, are not accessible through social media.

“DFA does not offer passport appointment slots through social media accounts, and does not own nor is associated with any websites and Facebook accounts other than its official websites and social media accounts,” the agency affirmed in their post.

“DFA does not tolerate any activities involving the illegal trade of online passport appointments,” they added.

The agency was under fire earlier this year after it was revealed appointments were fully booked through March 2018 and DFA employees were accused of intentionally blocking schedules for the online appointment process after being paid by local travel agencies, who charged customers P4,500 to P5,000 for “passport assistance.”

Meanwhile, last week, the agency announced, in cooperation with SM City Bacolod, they will be bringing the “Passport on Wheels” program, a mobile service that intends to make passport services more accessible, to Bacolod City on September 6 at the mall atrium./PLL, WDJ