Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 4) — The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) opened more slots for passport applicants in all its consular offices and temporary off-site passport service (TOPS) sites.
The DFA said the additional slots will be available throughout the month of June until September.
“Following the order of [Secretary of Foreign Affairs Teddy Locsin Jr. ] to ease the passport backlog, we’ve opened more appointment slots in all our 36 consular offices and 20 TOPS sites nationwide,” said Undersecretary for Civilian Security and Consular Affairs Brigido Dulay in a tweet late Friday.
“There are now available slots this June all to way to Sept 2022. No need to wait! Apply now!” Dulay added.
The DFA experienced backlogs in passport processing last year due to the restrictions brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.
READ: DFA: Backlog for passport renewals reach 3M-4M due to the pandemic
It said it will need ₱53.7 million in 2022 to open 10 more TOPS sites to reduce the backlogs.
Following the order of SFA @teddyboylocsin to ease the passport backlog, we’ve opened more appointment slots in all our 36 consular offices and 20 TOPS sites nationwide. There are now available slots this June all to way to Sept 2022. No need to wait! Apply now! pic.twitter.com/hekFDnPka0
— Dodo Dulay (@dododulay) June 3, 2022
