How to get a Philippine passport

There are a lot of ways to get a Philippine passport. Just kidding! And it is quite notable that there is still a large number of Philippine passport applicants (new and renewing) who are willing to leave the country for a better pay, or for whatever reasons. The government still hasn't encouraged a lot of OFWs to come back and help the country by joining either the workforce or the employers/self-employed or by investing savings.

Image Source: Wikipedia.org

Note: It is and always will be recommended that YOU yourself apply to get the passport and not just let a mere proxy do it. When I applied to get a passport, I came across this man, in his 40s, with a face of disappointment and regret. He told me that he was sent back home to the Philippines because his passport was invalid. Something went  wrong. And that he traced back when his company sent a representative to get all of the designated employees their passports. The things is, his passport was fake and didn't really get into the embassy's hands. So, if you don't want this to happen to you, get the passport yourself.

For new applicants, to get a Philippine passport, just follow the steps listed below.

1. Prepare the essential documents. These should show accurate information of who you are, where you live, etc - just to assure that you really are a citizen of the Philippines. Have these original documents and IDs photocopied, in case, it will be asked by DFA. Place these inside a plastic envelope. Don't forget to bring a black or blue pen.

• Authenticated NSO birth certificate or Certified True Copy (CTC) of BC issued by the Local Civil Registrar duly authenticated by NSO depending on the NSO signatory; for born 1950 & below, Negative Birth Record from NSO & Joint Birth Affidavit from Two Disinterested Persons if no record from NSO. 
• Two Original valid IDs (please make sure your signatures are all the same). Accepted IDs include Senior Citizen's ID, Voter's ID, digitized government-issued IDs like SSS, PRC, BIR, Driver's License, original school ID (for students only) AND original supporting documents indicating full name, date and place of birth and citizenship.
•  Authenticated marriage certificate (if married or if you want to use your spouse’s surname)
•  Other supporting documents (for verification) - Marriage Contract, Land Title, Driver's License, Government Service Record, School Form 137 or Transcript of Records with dry seal 
• Other documents that show full name and birth details of applicant and/or citizenship like Voter's Registration Record from COMELEC, Baptismal Certificate with dry seal, Seaman's Book Income Tax Return (Old), NBI Clearance

2. Get a valid appointment online by clicking here if you're residing in Metro Manila. If you're not from Metro Manila, but you insist to go to the DFA Aseana, ikaw bahala; otherwise, proceed to step 3.

•  It's easier to apply now since you can choose a schedule of application that is convenient for you. 
• Settle your date and time of application on the site. Remember the date and time. You won't be allowed inside if you proceed to early nor arrive too late.
  
• At home, download, print and fill out the application form completely with your appointment reference numbers, which you will get online.
  
• You have to make a valid appointment 'cause the guards won't let you in if you're not scheduled to apply on that day. 
• The site also has a list of the documents that it requires you to submit, just in case you neglect to read what I wrote above. Do download the application form in the site so that you won't have to fill it out on the appointment venue itself.

3. If you're not living in Metro Manila, have your online appointments by querying at your nearest DFA office. The following is a list of DFA branches/offices in the Philippines. Follow bullets stated above in (2), if it applies to your DFA branch.

• Bacolod - 2nd Flr. East Block Square, Circumferential Road, Barangay Villa Monte 
• Baguio - Don Monsylito Building 16 Legarda Roa 
• Batangas - Batangas Plaza and Convention Center National Road, Kumintang Ilaya 
• Butuan - CESIA Building, Montilla Boulevard
• Cagayan de Oro - Limketkai Drive, Cagayan De Oro City
• Cebu City - Causing Lozada Bldg.,Osmeña Blvd., Cor. Lapu-lapu St. 
• Davao - Ebro-Pelayo Bldg., E. Jacinto St.,
• General Santos - Gaisano Complex, J. Catolico St. Lagao
  
• Iloilo - Yulo Street, Iloilo City
• La Union - Pasado Bldg., Pagdalagan Norte, San Fernando, La Union 
• Legazpi - 4th Flr, LCC Expressmart Building Rizal St., Legazpi City, Albay
• Puerto Princesa - 2nd Flr. Puerto Princesa City Coliseum National Highway,Brgy. San Pedro
• Tuguegarao - Regional Government Center Carig Sur, Tuguegarao City, Cagayan Valley 
• Tacloban - Leyte SMED Center, Capitol Site, Sn. Enage 
• Zamboanga - Go-Velayo Bldg. Veterans Ave. Zamboanga City, 
• Zamboanga del Sur Lucena - 3rd Flr. Pacific Mall Lucena M.L. Tagarao St., Barangay III 

4. Attend at the scheduled date of appointment and NEVER BE LATE. Come early.

• Regular passport processing fee is Php 950 to be released after 15 working days, or about a month.
• Rush passport processing fee is Php 1200 to be released after 7 working days or two (2) weeks.
• There's also a fee if you want to have it delivered; I forgot how much, pero for tamad or probably busy people, you may inquire directly to the DFA office near you.

5. Your passport will be released depending on the fee that you paid (refer to bullets above). But, everyone is warned not to practice the irresistible habit of Filipino time. Don't ever let your sense of being lax catch you off guard. Start applying for your passport ASAP; the  earlier, the better.  Mamaya 1 week na lang pala, at flight mo na pa-Singapore; ano tawag dun? Kahit na ano'ng pag-sisisi pa gawin mo, it's over. :)

Hope this guide has helped you! And, once you have your passport already, please do take good care of it!! Never lose it!