DFA PASSPORT APPOINTMENT: Went to Cebu DFA and Here's What I Discovered

All the passport appointment slots on all 27 branches of DFA is already filled up (or blocked?). Yes, you can check it out at https://www.passport.gov.ph/appointment/individual/site. The only time I saw it opened up was the first week of December 2017. Then after a few weeks, all slots were already taken.

So earlier this month, I had a chance to visit Cebu DFA and I asked if there's a way to get my passport processed even though the slots were already taken. Like, walk-in in the afternoon after all the passport appointments have already been accommodated. After all, DFA Sec. Alan Peter Cayetano mentioned that there's about 40% no-show on the appointments, so I was thinking that there must be some extra time the DFA can accommodate walk-ins. Turns out..no...you really need an appointment. But wait, here's something you would like to know.

So, when I arrived at Cebu DFA, I asked the guard. What I discovered made me feel confused (and suspicious). Here's what I'm talking about.

The security guard advised me to call a telephone number of an admin that manages the appointment system and that there's a way to get an appointment through that person. Here's the phone number I'm referring to:

The guard also told me that from time to time, slots were being opened even though it was previously declared full. For example, the guard mentioned that slots were opened up last Wednesday but it didn't last long before it was fully booked.

So I checked if the second bullet if it's true. And it's true! The passport appointment slots can be opened anytime! I just checked and saw that at least two locations now have available slots:

But after a few minutes and I mean less than 10 minutes, both locations are now "fully booked" again. What???

What's Going On Here?

I don't want to be suspicious but it appears to me that there's something sinister going on here. First, why do I need to call a phone number if there's an online system? Second, if it's true that they open up slots every now and then, does it mean that there really are slots available? But it leads me to yet another question, why was it declared "full" in the first place just to open up whenever DFA wanted? I don't know what's DFA internal process so there might be a good explanation for all of this. And there should be!

[Related: DFA PASSPORT APPOINTMENT: No Vacant Slot Until the end of March 2018 ]

SCAM: My First Scam Text This Year; 850000 Pesos from GMA Kapuso Foundation

It's a brand new year for everyone, including local scammers. And despite all the efforts by PLDT and Globe Telecom to curb text message scammers, from time to time, they still creep out and show up in our inboxes. And as hard to believe as the messages of winning some great amounts of money is the fact that there are still people who believe them. I personally know someone and that scam text message triggered events that turn her life upside down. So my point is, we still need to be careful regarding these scam messages. The danger is real! So without further ado, here's the scam message I received a few days ago. On Sunday, January 7, 2018 at exactly 3:33PM (PH time), I received this message from a certain Atty. Jhon Acosta with phone number 09552962911 Congratulations! Ursim# Hadwon PHP850,000 From(GMA KAPUSO FOUNDATION) To Claim Send Ur (NAME/ADD/AGE) &Call Me Now Im Atty;JHON ACOSTA DTI#0391s2018 Thankyou, Do Not Ever Reply Obviously, this is a...

How Much Does a MRI Scan Costs in the Philippines?

My dad needs a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan for his prostate problem. I did a little research on how much does it cost to have one. Well, it depends on many factors, such as which body part is to be scanned. There's also this technique called "MRI with contrast," wherein the patient will be injected with a chemical to make the scan clearer. For your information, this technique of adding contrast is known as Gadolinium Contrast Medium . It adds cost to the procedure, but with more clarity, the more you can trust the diagnosis. MRI Machine KasugaHuang , CC BY-SA 3.0 , Link So, in my father's case, we had a Prostate MRI, and I assume it was without contrast since he was never injected with the "contrast" chemicals. We got it in i-Scan Healthcare Inc. here in Quezon City. The cost is 13000 Pesos . Please take note that the amount was just for the scan, and a separate professional will read the result. Some laboratories offer this service (i....

How to Apply For SSS Salary Loan Online?

Here's a very short tutorial on the step-by-step procedure on how to apply for a Salary Loan from Social Security System (SSS) using their online facility. But before you apply, make sure that you are eligible. Here's the eligibility requirements: Only currently employed, currently contributing self-employed or voluntary member is qualified to avail of the salary loan program: For a one-month loan, the member-borrower must have 36 posted monthly contributions, six (6) of which should be within the last 12 months prior to the month of filing of application. For a two-month loan, the member-borrower must have 72 posted monthly contributions, six (6) of which should be within the last 12 months prior to the month of filing of application. The member-borrower must be under sixty-five (65) years of age at the time of application (SSC Res. No. 434 dated 09 November 2005). The member-borrower has not been disqualified due to fraud committed against the SSS. If you are eligib...

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