NextGen Day

On Friday, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) informed senators that reversing budget cuts would greatly improve its ability to serve Filipinos and enable it to meet the growing demand for consular services.

According to Secretary Enrique Manalo, the planned PHP20.3 billion budget for DFA under the 2023 National Expenditure Program (NEP), is 2.5 percent less than its 2022 budget.

It also includes PHP136.7 million to continue operating Temporary Off-site Passport Services and to deal with the backlog in passport processing at DFA (TOPS).

Former DFA secretary and senator Alan Peter Cayetano promised to assist the department in resolving the passport backlog, primarily brought on by the Covid-19 outbreak.

“By the time we get to the floor, I would love a presentation on how long it will take them, how long it will take to fix the passport, and what the apostille problem is. We are aware of the restrictions and that it may be fixed, “Cayetano remarked.

According to DFA Assistant Secretary Henry Bensurto Jr., they expanded the number of passport appointment slots in July by streamlining the computer system.

According to him, there are still 300,000 appointment spaces open as of Thursday night. “By September, we were able to open 806,000 appointment slots up to December,” he stated.

“We won’t stop changing the system; we’ll keep doing it. Plans call for us to switch to third-generation passports and, with them, to contactless passport applications “And Bensurto.

There are currently 20 TOPS that can each process 500 requests for passport renewals each day.

Bensurto asserted that if the PHP136 million asked by DFA is not granted, the TOPS will cease operations by December.

He said they want to add 300,000 more passport appointment spaces the following week.

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